Madison Square Garden hosts first NBA Finals game since 1999: A look back

There are any number of reasons why New York’s Madison Square Garden is called “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

It’s hosted classic boxing matches, from Joe Louis vs. Rocky Marciano to the “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

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It’s the birthplace of the Big East and the mecca of college basketball.

It’s a legendary concert venue, hosting sold-out shows by Billy Joel, Phish, Harry Styles and so many more.

And its ice is where the NHL’s New York Rangers finally ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994.

But nothing gets the joint jumping more than the New York Knicks and the NBA.

Unfortunately for New Yorkers, the Knickerbockers haven’t hosted an NBA Finals game at MSG in 27 years. That all changes on Monday, June 8, when the San Antonio Spurs come to the Big Apple for Game 3.

Let’s take a look back at what happened the last time the Knicks were the talk of the town.

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New York Knicks fans take to the streets to celebrate reaching NBA Finals

New York Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, and are seeking their first championship since defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973.

(David Dee Delgado, Getty Images)

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New York Knicks fans take to the streets to celebrate reaching NBA Finals

New York Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, and are seeking their first championship since defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973.

(David Dee Delgado, Getty Images)

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New York Knicks fans take to the streets to celebrate reaching NBA Finals

Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship.

(David Dee Delgado, Getty Images)

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New York Knicks fans take to the streets to celebrate reaching NBA Finals

Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship.

(David Dee Delgado, Getty Images)

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New York Knicks fans take to the streets to celebrate reaching NBA Finals

Knicks fans…


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Publish date : 2026-06-08 10:01:00

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