The Big Apple has spent the Knicks’ Finals run in a state of delirium, though next week, the city might lose its mind entirely.
With the World Cup beginning this Thursday, we could be heading on a collision course toward “Travel Armageddon” for those in the New York metro area, should the Finals extend to six games on June 16.
The Spurs won Game 3 on Monday 115-11, making the series 2-1 in the Knicks’ favor heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night.
The possibility of a Game 6, which would take place on Tuesday, June 16 at Madison Square Garden, has become much more real as the Knicks would have to win the next two games to avoid the worst sports travel day in recent memory.
Should the Knicks lose Game 4 this Wednesday, Game 6 will be in New York next Tuesday.
On the same day? France and Senegal will be playing a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium (or New York/New Jersey Stadium, as it’s been temporarily renamed for the tournament).
The World Cup match is slated to begin at 3 p.m. ET, and Game 6 of the NBA Finals would be at 8:30 p.m. ET.
While the two events are several hours apart, the mix of fans returning to New York on New Jersey Transit from the match and those coming into the city for the Finals could cause a nightmare travel situation in Midtown.
Travel adjustments have already been announced for commuters coming and going through New York Penn Station during the World Cup.
During matches at MetLife Stadium, Penn Station will have restricted access for NJ Transit commuters four hours before each match’s kickoff to accommodate the higher volume of travel for fans going to East Rutherford.
Trains heading to New Jersey from Penn Station will prioritize those with World Cup match tickets, and commuters have been advised to avoid traveling on match days unless absolutely necessary.
Knicks fans have been flooding 7th Avenue outside Madison Square Garden after their playoff victories, and the chaos could grow much larger with the World Cup happening at the same time.
