This is not just New York’s moment. It’s Latin New York’s moment.
The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 — and the two players most central to the city’s cultural identity this June are Karl-Anthony Towns, a Dominican American carrying his late mother’s heritage onto the biggest stage in basketball, and José Alvarado, a Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican who grew up dreaming about Madison Square Garden and is now playing the Finals inside it.
In the same week that Puerto Rican Day parades fill the streets of Manhattan, Bushwick, and Sunset Park, some of our own are suiting up at MSG.
New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals Game 4
Knicks lead the series 2-1
Madison Square Garden
Chelsea
Wed, June 10, 2026 | 8:30pm
Latinos Power the 2026 Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns: Dominican New York’s Star
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 (Bodega KAT) was born in New Jersey to an African American father and a Dominican mother, Jacqueline Cruz, who passed away in 2020 from COVID-19. Towns has represented the Dominican Republic in international basketball since age 15, and has spoken openly about wanting to win New York’s first NBA title in 53 years while rallying the city’s 700,000-strong Dominican community behind him.
Towns has been vocal about leaning on his parents’ Dominican and African American heritage throughout his NBA career, and since being traded to the Knicks, has taken pride in his bond with New York City’s Dominican fan base.
Washington Heights. Inwood. The Bronx. When KAT steps onto the court at MSG, those neighborhoods are watching one of their own.
In Game 3 against San Antonio last night, Towns finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in a narrow 115-111 loss. The series stands Knicks 2, Spurs 1. Game 4 is tomorrow night.
José Alvarado: Brooklyn Boricua Comes Home
José Alvarado was born and raised in Brooklyn and proudly carries his Puerto Rican heritage, with his mother hailing from Arecibo — a connection that shaped both his identity and his decision to represent Puerto Rico on the international stage in FIBA play.
He went undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2021. He earned his way into the league on defense, earning the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado” for his ability to materialize steals from nowhere. He is four wins away from becoming only the third Puerto Rican player in NBA history to win a championship.
When the Knicks won the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland, Alvarado appeared visibly emotional — covering his face as the moment sank in that he was going to the NBA Finals. He is playing the Finals in the city where he grew up, in the building he dreamed about as a kid in Brooklyn.
Puerto Rican Day is Sunday, June 14. Game 5 is also June 14. The symmetry is not lost on anyone paying attention.
Playoffs
Knicks move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Eastern Conference Championship
Madison Square Garden, Chelsea
– Game 1, May 4, Mon; Knicks 137-98.
– Game 2, May 6, Wed; 7pm
Knicks entered the playoffs as the No. 3 Eastern Conference seed behind the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. After starting slowly against the Atlanta Hawks, they beat them good.
New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks
Karl-Anthony Towns & José Alvarado
Eastern Conference Playoffs First Round Game 1 of 7
Madison Square Garden, Chelsea; and Prime Video
Apr 18, Sat, 6pm
Knicks win
New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks
Karl-Anthony Towns & José Alvarado
Eastern Conference Playoffs First Round Game 2 of 7
Madison Square Garden, Chelsea; and Prime Video
Hawks 107-106 Knicks
Series Tied 1-1
Big Games
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets
Last home game of the season
Madison Square Garden, Chelsea
Apr 12, Sun,
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics
Playoff seeding battle #2 and #3 Eastern Conference rivals
Madison Square Garden, Chelsea
Apr 9, Thu, 7:30pm
At the start of April, the Knicks have clinched a playoff spot.