Ben Stiller Cheers Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 2 as Trump Set for Historic Attendance

Q: Can the Knicks recover from their streak-ending loss to finally end their 53-year championship drought?

Yes. The Knicks are still in a strong position to end their 53-year title drought, even after their 115-111 Game 3 loss to San Antonio. The defeat mattered because it snapped New York’s 13-game postseason winning streak and showed the Spurs can win in a hostile environment. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were major factors in San Antonio’s response, and the Spurs’ young core has now proved it can handle Finals pressure. But the bigger fact is the series score: New York still leads 2-1 after taking the first two games in San Antonio. That keeps the Knicks in control. Historically, teams that grab a 2-0 Finals lead put themselves in a commanding position, and the Spurs were already facing a steep climb after dropping both home games. The Knicks also have evidence that this run is not a fluke. They entered the Finals on an 11-game winning streak, swept through much of the Eastern playoffs, and have consistently gotten high-level production from Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and a deep, physical rotation. Their resilience has been one of the defining traits of this postseason. What Game 4 now decides is whether New York restores firm control or lets the series reset. If the Knicks respond immediately at Madison Square Garden, they will be one win from the championship. If San Antonio levels the series, pressure shifts sharply. So the answer is yes: the Knicks can recover, and based on the 2-1 lead and their overall playoff form, they remain well positioned to do it.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 9

Ben Stiller was photographed cheering during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on June 5 in San Antonio.
The AP image was part of a broader look at A-list celebrities flocking to the series, with stars expected in force to support both teams this week.
Donald Trump was also set to attend, a visit billed as making him the first sitting U.S. president to appear at the NBA Finals.