Paul Rudd has spent decades wondering what New York would sound like if the Knicks finally won another NBA championship.
Speaking before Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, with the Knicks up 2-0 over the San Antonio Spurs as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden, Rudd’s comments hit differently than the usual celebrity courtside chatter.
Rudd spoke less like an actor and more like a fan who has lived through the lean years, fully aware of what a Knicks title would mean to the city.
Paul Rudd Knicks title dream captures New York NBA Finals buzz
Variety shared Rudd’s reaction to the Knicks’ Finals run, and his answer carried the weight of a long-time fan.
“If the Knicks were to ever really win the whole thing, this place would go crazy. And New York would go crazy in a way that’s different from the way they do with the Yankees or the Giants – I think they’d go crazy for the Mets or the Jets as well, but there’s something about the Knicks and New York City where I really hope we’ll see it come to fruition.”
Rudd has been linked to the Knicks for years, often spotted at games long before this Finals run. His comments did not sound like someone jumping on the bandwagon.
It is a wait that has stretched since 1973. That is why every step closer to a title feels bigger than basketball, and why Rudd’s words resonate.
Knicks vs Spurs Game 3 brings Finals back to MSG
Game 3 tips off Monday, June 8, at 8:30 p.m. ET. New York returns home after two wins in San Antonio, including a 105-104 nail-biter in Game 2.
Victor Wembanyama missed a late chance in that game, leaving the Spurs down 2-0 and the Knicks two wins from their first championship in more than five decades.
It is the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999, adding another layer to the city’s anticipation.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday, June 10, also at the Garden. If the Knicks keep rolling, Rudd’s long-imagined celebration could soon become reality.
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