Celebrities come out in full force for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 7 at MSG

NBA

by andrew crane

Garden celebrities returned for Game 7 of Knicks vs. Pacers.

Before ESPN's broadcasts began, the network hosted Spike Lee, actor Ben Stiller, Knicks legend Clyde Frazier, former tennis player John McEnroe, comedian Tracy Morgan and rapper Fat Joe. , which aired appearances by several well-known stars, including comedian and television host Jon Stewart. Throughout the Knicks' recent playoff run, a number of people have filled that seat.

Actors Steve Schirripa and Christopher Meloni and rappers Travis Scott and Jadakiss were also in attendance.

They were part of a gathering of Garden fans that erupted during warm-ups when Josh Hart and OG Anunoby (listed as questionable with abdominal strains and hamstring injuries, respectively) were announced after warm-ups. In determining availability, it was an important factor.

Knicks legend John Starks, who has been an integral part of Knicks games throughout the postseason, was also seen clapping during the second quarter while wearing a Knicks hat during the broadcast.

“It's very, very tiring,” Starks said of watching games earlier in the series. “I feel what the fans are going through…because it's a do-or-die situation. Just hanging on to every bucket, every loose ball, every steal, every foul. . I have to do a lot of cardio to keep up with what's going on.”

Round 5 was attended by Billie Elish, Common, Jennifer Hudson and others.

Bryan Cranston and Chris Rock, along with many other players, traveled to the Garden for Game 2.

All three home games in this series entered Sunday with wins, and the Knicks only lost one game at home in their first round series against the 76ers.

But after the first quarter on Sunday, the Knicks still had to erase a double-digit deficit to advance to the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.

The Pacers shot 76 percent from the field and led 37-29, with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way with 14 points and helping Indiana shore up the Knicks' defense.

Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 12 points, Jalen Brunson had six points and Anunoby had five points in five minutes.

Alec Burks also had a scoring burst in the second quarter, collecting 10 points in his first seven minutes on the court. However, the Knicks led 70-55 at the break.

And that stretch sent a jolt of energy into a Garden that had been quiet since the Pacers' first-quarter tear.