How Art Lovers Can Watch the Knicks Try to Clinch the Championship Tonight

Antonio Spurs basketball player Stephon Castle, in a black jersey, guards New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. — The Antonio Spurs’s Stephon Castle facing off against New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson in game four of the NBA Finals. Photo courtesy of the New York Knicks.

I cannot remember a more exciting time for sports in New York City. I grew up on Long Island as a true Knicks fan. I will never forget watching them face off against the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers in those fantastic 1990s rivalries. Even though they never managed to win the title, the playoffs were always exciting, and I absolutely loved Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, and those guys!

Then, in 2001, the Knicks lost in the first round, ushering in a long period of mediocrity. Across the river in Queens, my beloved Mets, fresh off their 2000 World Series loss to the Yankees, failed to make the playoffs in 2001—and for the next five years. It turned out I only had room in my heart for one struggling New York franchise in orange and blue. (There’s only so much sports-related suffering a girl can take!)

All that is to say that this Knicks run has been absolutely invigorating—especially when I got to go to MSG to watch them beat the Cavs! And I think the more the merrier on board this Knickerbockers bandwagon. (Although I do apologize for being a fair-weather fan.) The city needs this, and everyone should be able to enjoy this moment, whether they have been a true diehard or are paying attention to the sport for the very first time.

Which is why, art lovers, I have sussed out a few art-related watch parties you can attend tonight, should you be looking for a fun way to tune in as the Knicks look to clinch the championship against the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 p.m. tonight—my mayor Muslim, my bagel Jewish, my art museums thrive, Knicks in five!

Where to Watch

A photo of a Beaux Arts building with a row of tall arched windows on the corner of a Brooklyn street, with a modern skyscraper behind it. — The Brooklyn Academy of Music in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York. Photo by Ajay Suresh, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Brooklyn Academy of Music, cohosted with Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts

The two institutions are teaming up to host a free outdoor watch party with a 16-foot screen. There won’t be food or drink for sale, but the BAM steps are being pressed into service as makeshift bleachers, and the indoor bathrooms will be open to the public. MoCADA is bringing a DJ to play before tip-off.

Where: 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
When: 7 p.m.
Price: Free

A graphic with cartoon man and woman wearing no pants and holding a basketball between them and drinks in their hands. It reads below them "Senza Pantaloni, No-Pants Biennale." — The invite to “Senza Pantaloni, No-Pants Biennale.” Courtesy of Casey Kelbaugh.

Senza Pantaloni: The No-Pants Biennale

The art world’s favorite photographer, Casey Kelbaugh, tipped me off to this delightful-sounding event he is hosting, which starts off as a BBQ with live music “and other shenanigans” and transitions to a comedy show before becoming a watch party. As the name implies, there is a strict dress code for the event—which has appropriately dubbed its 2026 outing the “Knickerbocker Edition.” Pants and slacks are prohibited, although dresses, skirts, shorts, kilts, and even capris are permitted.

Where: East Village, New York, New York (DM @Caseykelbaugh for exact address)
When: 5 p.m. bbq, comedy show at 7 p.m., watch party at 8:30 p.m., afterparty at 11 p.m.
Price: Free

A photo of a mini golf course on the roof of an apartment in New York, with a father tending to a toddler who is bending over to play with a ball. — Zachary Cascone and Nathan Monroe-Yavneh play mini golf at Gao Hang and Igor Simić’s exhibition “Small World” at Smilers, co-organized with Houston’s Laura the Gallery. Photo by Sarah Cascone.

Smilers

The latest show at Smilers, a quirky apartment gallery in the (beautiful) East Village home of MoMA staffer Laura Tighe, transforms the building rooftop into a mini-golf course designed by artists Gao Hang and Igor Simić. The nine courses of “Small World,” which are designed to share the aspect ratio of a U.S. dollar bill, are totally playable (just stick to the holes that don’t have sculptures on them). And I can confirm it is child-friendly, as Zachary thoroughly enjoyed himself at last night’s opening. Laura Burton, of Houston’s Laura the Gallery, co-organized the show, which will be open weekends this summer, including a watch party projecting the game tonight!

Where: 431 East 6th Street, New York, New York
When: 8 p.m.
Price: Free

A photo of a room with red curtains on the walls and visitors reclining on red cushions watching a video screen on the ceiling and back wall. — d’strict, *Art Performance* (2020). Photo courtesy of d’strict.

Hero at Rockefeller Center

If you like your basketball with a side of immersive digital art, I suggest heading to Rockefeller Center, where the immersive arts and culture space Hero appears to be turning some of its many high-definition screens over to the Knicks. The space is normally home to “Resound,” an exhibition from South Korean art collective/media company d’strict, which is also the force behind the Arte Museum, which opened in Chelsea Piers last year. There will be drinks and Shake Shack burgers for purchase.

Where: 610 5th Avenue Rink Level, New York, New York
When: 7 p.m.
Price: $28.49