Knicks Fans Rebel Against Celtics, Statue Prank Fuels Rivalry

BOSTON — Knicks fans clashed with Celtics supporters ahead of a crucial Game 5 matchup on Wednesday night. The game, held at TD Garden, could send the New York Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in decades.

The rivalry took an amusing turn when The New York Post dressed a statue of legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach in a Knicks jersey, igniting outrage among Boston fans. The statue, located at Faneuil Hall, was clad in a jersey of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, complete with a Post cap and Tuesday’s issue highlighting the Knicks’ recent victory.

“Bro, that’s f—ked up, that should be a crime,” said one disappointed passerby as he walked by the statue. The prank, however, lasted only 10 minutes before security intervened, citing private property concerns.

Isaac Schweiger, a 21-year-old Knicks fan living in Boston, found humor in the prank. “The stars are aligning and hopefully we can just end it tonight,” he said confidently about the impending game. His team leads the series 3-1 and hopes to clinch the semifinals.

As fans poured into TD Garden, chants of “Knicks in five, Knicks in five” echoed through the streets. Queens resident Allen Edwards expressed the anxieties of being a Knicks fan, stating, “We’ve suffered for so long, we can just hope.”

Notable guests included New York mayoral candidate Michael Blake, who rallied with fans ahead of the game. “New York is going to be on fire for all the good reasons,” he said.

Some dedicated fans traveled long distances, with George Quni taking a Greyhound bus to Boston, citing the cost-effectiveness compared to attending a game at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks haven’t been in the NBA Finals since the 1999 season, and fans are eager for a shot at the championship. “We want to be here when they win,” said Haley Perrotte, a Manhattan resident, as she joined her friend in Boston.

As the tension mounted outside the arena, the anticipation for the game at 7 p.m. grew palpable. The question remains: Will the Knicks claim victory against their rivals, or will the Celtics push the series further?