The vibes were high as the New York Knicks prepared for the NBA Finals, listening to the pop icon, Michael Jackson, during practice.
Videos have surfaced from the Knicks' recent practices. Karl-Anthony Towns can be seen dancing to “Rock With You.” Later on, the team was getting warmed up while “Smooth Criminal” played.
New York knick players Vibing To Michael Jackson in practice 🪩 pic.twitter.com/xXNXqnQoUW
— LOVE (@LOVEBACKUPFR24) June 3, 2026
In another video, backup guard Jose Alvarado is seen dancing and singing to “Rock With You.” He appeared to be enjoying the music choice.
I could watch Jose Alvarado dance to Michael Jackson all day 🤣🕺
Presented by Paze pic.twitter.com/5LlkuNzp18
— theScore (@theScore) June 3, 2026
The Knicks look rested and ready to go, judging by the videos from their practice. They will have had more than a week of rest when the NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, June 3.
The Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years
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New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) and guards Jalen Brunson (11) and Mikal Bridges (25) during practice on media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
For the first time in 27 years, the Knicks will compete in the NBA Finals. Ironically, the last time that they made the series, they also played the San Antonio Spurs.
New Yorkers are hoping that the series goes differently this time, though. They lost in five games to the Spurs in the first of the franchise's five championships.
The Knicks have had a dominant run to the Finals. They enter the series on an 11-game win streak dating back to Game 4 of their series against the Atlanta Hawks. They swept the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers on their way to the Finals.
Hopefully, they are well-rested when Game 1 begins. They came out of the gates sluggish against the Cavaliers after sweeping the Sixers, finding themselves down by 22 points in the fourth quarter. Somehow, they were able to surge back and tie the game before pulling away in overtime.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are coming off a grueling road to the NBA Finals, including going seven games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC was the top-seeded team in the NBA and the defending champions, and the Spurs knocked them off.
The vibes were high as the New York Knicks prepared for the NBA Finals, listening to the pop icon, Michael Jackson, during practice. Videos have surfaced from the Knicks' recent practices. Karl-Anthony Towns can be seen dancing to “Rock With You. ” Later on, the team was getting warmed up while “Smooth Criminal” played.