Mike Breen Says a Knicks Championship Would Spark All-Time Fan Reaction

The New York Knicks are primed for their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, where the team will compete for its first NBA title since 1973.

Knicks fans have gone without a championship celebration for more than 50 years. And if the 2026 squad finally breaks the curse, New York City will no doubt have a celebration for the ages.

Lead ESPN/ABC play-by-play man and local MSG Network broadcaster Mike Breen predicts an all-time great fan reaction if the Knicks are able to pull off an NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

"It's been so long and so many of the fans have never experienced anything like this, I think it's going to be one of the all-time reactions in terms of people being emotional," Breen said, via NJ.com.

"There'll be a lot of crying,” he added.

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The Knicks enter the NBA Finals on an 11-game win streak, notching back-to-back series sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

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"I do know what it would mean to the city and to the fans of the city,” Breen continued. “It might be one of the great moments in the history of New York sports if they win because of what the fan base has gone through and how loyal they've been to the team.

"As for my emotions, it's hard to predict that."

Game 1 of the NBA Finals will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 10:09 AM.