The last time the Knicks made the NBA Finals, New York was a different world
The last time the Knicks made – As the New York Knicks edged closer to the 2026 NBA Finals, a familiar sense of anticipation gripped the city. For 70-year-old Greg Hourdajian, the journey back to the championship stage echoes memories from 1973, when he first cheered on the team as a teenager in Queens. That year, the Knicks clinched their most recent title, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 102-93 in Game 5, a moment that still resonates deeply with him.
Hourdajian, a devoted fan since childhood, recalls the excitement of that era with vivid clarity. His mother and he would shout themselves hoarse in front of a television in their living room, a humble space that now feels like a relic. Decades have passed, yet the emotional weight of the Knicks’ success remains unchanged. Today, his daughter Jenna films his reactions as he moves restlessly through the same room, a testament to the enduring passion for the game.
A city transformed, but the spirit remains
New York has changed dramatically since 1973. The skyline now glows with modern towers, and Times Square buzzes with digital lights. But for Hourdajian, the essence of the city’s character persists. “Back then, New York was a mix of pride and uncertainty,” he reflected, describing a time when the streets felt more dangerous and the cultural landscape was shaped by crime and grit.
The city has weathered countless shifts—fiscal crises, terrorism, and pandemics—but its soul, in Hourdajian’s view, remains tied to moments like the 1973 championship. “It’s like the same feeling, but multiplied,” said Quron Booker, a lifelong fan and father of a 9-year-old boy, watching the Knicks’ late-game surge with bated breath. The crowd’s collective hope has grown into something more intense, a shared belief that the team might finally break through again.
From humble beginnings to skyrocketing costs
When the Knicks won in 1973, game tickets were affordable, often under $15, and the city’s neighborhoods felt more connected. Now, fans pay hundreds for a seat at Madison Square Garden, with courtside seats reaching six figures. Hourdajian, who once bought tickets for just $7, struggles to find a seat for $350. Yet, despite the price tags, the energy in the stands feels unbound.
The team’s path to the finals has been marked by constant change. Coaches, ownership, and arenas have evolved, but the dream of a third championship endures. Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee have joined the fray, their presence amplifying the city’s collective excitement. “Knicks in five,” they chant, a rallying cry that bridges generations and celebrates a long-awaited return to glory.
A moment that unites a city
For Hourdajian, the Knicks’ current run is more than just sports—it’s a mirror of New York’s own resilience. “This feels like the city recognizing itself again,” he said, as his daughter captured the whirlwind of emotions. The journey from despair to euphoria is a familiar one, yet its intensity has grown. The same streets that once bore the scars of the 1990s now pulse with renewed energy, driven by the hope of a historic moment.
“This is the greatest win ever, ever, ever, ever, ever,” Hourdajian declared after Wednesday’s dramatic comeback, the Knicks closing a 29-point gap in the final seconds. His voice trembled with the weight of the moment, a reminder that even after five decades, the thrill of a Knicks victory still feels life-changing.
