Knicks look to finish off Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Saturday | Live Updates

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Last updated: Sunday, June 14, 2026 1:02AM GMT
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NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Larry O'Brien Trophy will be in the building. The rehearsals for the presentation ceremony, if one is needed, are complete. Thousands of New York fans have made the trip to Texas, looking to see something that hasn't happened in 53 years.

The rest is up to the Knicks.

New York can win its first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday night, with the Knicks holding a 3-1 lead going into Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

"We've been preaching all year it's about the next possession, the next possession, the next possession," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "We understand any time you try to play a closeout game, the level of desperation - for your opponents - increases (and) the level of desperation for the fans of your opponents is increased. You have to bring your best effort because even if you bring your best effort, it may not happen, especially on the road."

The Knicks are 3-0 in closeout opportunities this season, winning them by an average of 39.3 points - all of them on the road.

Game 5 is Saturday in San Antonio with tip off at 8:30 p.m. on ABC 7, your home for the NBA Finals. Pre-game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m.

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Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 10, 2026, 5:26 PM GMT

Watch parties announced for Wollman Rink and Brooklyn Bowl tonight

In addition to the previously announced outdoor watch party at MSG on Wednesday night, the Knicks announced there will also be watch parties at Wollman Rink and Brooklyn Bowl.

The two newly announced watch parties are free, but officials say pre-registration will expedite entry.

Pre-registration will not guarantee admission and fans will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here to register for Wollman Rink and click here to register for Brooklyn Bowl.

Jun 10, 2026, 5:37 PM GMT

NYC is a 'police state,' Knicks owner says

MSG is unhappy with the limitations on the watch party outside the arena for Game 4, calling the arrangements evidence of "a police state."

It comes after the NYPD approved a watch party permit for 999 people, after MSG's permit application apparently asked for 500-999 people.

Read the full statement:

"Mayor Mamdani's 'granting' of a watch party permit is disingenuous at best. It came with multiple conditions, including not allowing more than 1,000 spectators and demanding that they all must have a ticket. But more important is the Mayor's plan to freeze out fans from celebrating outside Madison Square Garden, which will turn the streets around MSG into a police state.

The Knicks' victories are for all New Yorkers.

We wish everyone could see the games live. Watch parties and public celebrations are a way for every Knicks fan to enjoy this special time. These fans want to celebrate together. They want to celebrate at the Mecca of basketball.

This is not about watch parties, it's about celebrating wins.

Issues that happened at the Mayor's Bryant Park watch party (a city-run watch party) are not related to blocks around MSG nor any other previously run MSG watch party. Additionally there have been minimal problems in other cities where NBA Final watch parties occurred and they have had successful experiences around those respective arenas - 2025 Oklahoma City vs Indiana had major celebrations around arena with limited to no incidents; 2019 Toronto vs. Golden State; 2024 Dallas vs Boston; and 2023 Denver vs Miami all had major celebrations around their arenas with minor incidents.

If the Mayor won't allow that, can he at least give Knicks fans an honest answer of why not? He can't blame it on the President. He is not coming to Game 4 and there is no reason to create a police state around The Garden."

Jun 10, 2026, 4:41 PM GMT

Changes in place for Wednesday watch party outside MSG

Unlike the previous outdoor watch parties outside Madison Square Garden, Wednesday night's will require preregistration

Fans can monitor this website for watch party registration information.

The NYPD says the permit requested by MSG, and approved by the city, is for an event to accommodate 500 to 1,000 people.

"In their application permit for the watch party for Wednesday night, MSG only requested an event that could accommodate between 500-1,000 people. The city granted the max number of attendees for their request, so there will be a 1,000-person ticketed watch party."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that since MSG asked for a permit for up to 1,000 people ... the city approved 999.

"As my police commissioner outlined at her security briefing on Monday, additional security measures will be in place outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 4 to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy the event," Mamdani said. "The security in place this evening is in line with the measures that the NYPD uses for gatherings at this size, whether it be July 4th or New Year's Eve."

The Bryant Park watch party set up by the city Monday had a maximum capacity of 5,000 attendees. The NYPD estimated 7,000 attended were in or in the vicinity of that watch party, and another 6,500 in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden Friday night.

Jun 10, 2026, 1:12 AM GMT

MSG Slams Mamdani, Tisch over Game 4 security plans

Shortly after Mayor Mamdani announced security plans for Game 4 surrounding Madison Square Garden, MSG Sports Corp. released a statement calling both Mamdani and Commissioner Tisch 'party poopers.'

The full statement:

Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch are New York City's Biggest Party Poopers

"The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG. The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere. Apparently Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don't want to see these celebrations happen.

We have been told the NYPD will once again implement the same 'frozen zone' restrictions for Game 4, which were supposedly to thwart any threats related to the President's attendance. We now know these restrictions were never about the President- it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate.

The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood.

These celebrations are part of the heart and soul of New Yorkers. The actions of Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand. We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the life of the team."