OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Manhattan streets have echoed with passionate calls from New York Knicks supporters even before their team secured the Eastern Conference championship.
The rallying cry heard throughout the city: “We want Wemby! We want Wemby!”
New York has accomplished their mission by reaching the NBA Finals. Their next step involves waiting until Thursday at the earliest to learn their opponent from the Western Conference matchup between Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Prior to Tuesday evening’s Game 5 between the Spurs and Thunder, San Antonio’s head coach Mitch Johnson was questioned about whether he’d become aware of the fan demonstrations in New York.
Johnson admitted he hadn’t heard about them but expressed little surprise at their occurrence.
“I know New York’s on fire. They won so that city is obviously enjoying it and they’ve had a heck of a playoff run,” Johnson said. “But unfortunately, I’ve been pretty locked-into what we’ve got going right here in front of us.”
New York has strung together 11 straight victories, overcoming a 2-1 series deficit against Atlanta in the opening round before completing sweeps of Philadelphia and Cleveland in subsequent rounds.
Social media footage captured some Knicks supporters expressing their “We want Wemby!” desires following Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers.
“Tip your cap to New York, for sure,” Johnson said. “They’re having a heck of a run.”
