Yankees players fired up at MSG for Knicks' Game 1 win is what NY fans dream of

Yankees players have been supporting the New York Knicks throughout the team's current playoff run and it was no different on Monday night at the Garden. The Yanks had their first day off in over two weeks and a crew decided to attend Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis against the Indiana Pacers.

Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and Nestor Cortes were seen alongside Mariano Rivera in the crowd, jumping out of their seats for every big moment. Yankees fans saw all of them on the TNT broadcast after Jalen Brunson hit a huge shot to put the Knicks up four late.

Then, later on, came Donte DiVincenzo's clutch three-pointer that had the entire arena erupt as the Knicks took a 118-115 lead with under a minute remaining. They would end up winning the game by a score of 121-117. That crew was right in the middle of it.

For Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Yankees rolled five deep with Cortes, Torres, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman and Juan Soto. Aaron Judge attended one of the games with his wife, too.

For the first time in a long time, it feels like New York sports has a semblance of connectivity, with the Yankees 10 games over .500, the Knicks looking like a legitimate title threat, and the Rangers rolling with the momentum after finishing as the best regular-season team in the NHL.

Yankees players fired up at MSG for Knicks' Game 1 win is what NY fans dream of

A day off well spent. The Yankees have long felt like a team in need of a chemistry reset. The front office has spent years acquiring personalities that are rather reserved, monotone or introverted, but this offseason featured a different approach.

Soto, Stroman and Alex Verdugo are here -- all of whom wear their emotions on their sleeves. Cortes and Schmidt have made leaps over the last few years to gain the confidence necessary to handle New York.

So, yeah, a night out with the boys to watch some basketball is just what the doctor ordered. NY fans are dying to see more of this camaraderie as the Knicks continue battling for that Finals appearance -- something that's eluded the franchise since 1999.

Spread that infectious New York energy, get the city invigorated, and ride the wave for the remainder of 2024. There's nothing better when New York sports are on a collision course for multiple championships.

The crazy part is that the Yankees probably need the injection of life the most. The Knicks and Rangers have handled their business admirably despite all the pressure, and the Yanks face what feels like a do-or-die 2024. Come playoff time, we expect to see other New York athletes supporting the Bombers in the Bronx. They'll need it.