Michael J. Fox; Jalen Brunson; Edie Falco
Michael J. Fox, Jalen Brunson, Edie Falco.
The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a 2-0 lead against the San Antonia Spurs in the series
Michael J. Fox, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa and John Leguizamo shared their favorite Knicks memories and game day rituals with PEOPLE
The Knicks are seeking their first NBA championship since 1973 and are making their first Finals appearance since 1999
The New York Knicks are two wins away from ending a decades-long championship drought.
As the NBA Finals return to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 tonight, the Knicks hold a commanding 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs behind the play of point guard Jalen Brunson, center Karl-Anthony Towns and forward Josh Hart. The Finals appearance marks the franchise's first since 1999, and the team is seeking its first NBA championship since 1973.
Ahead of the pivotal matchup, four of the Knicks' most devoted celebrity fans — Michael J. Fox, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa, and John Leguizamo — shared with PEOPLE their favorite team memories, game-day rituals and the reasons they've never stopped believing.
For Fox, 64, one of his favorite Knicks memories remains one of the oddest moments in franchise history.
"I have to say, my favorite Knicks memory is a strange one," the actor tells PEOPLE. "Jeff Van Gundy hanging onto Alonzo Mourning's ankle in a vain attempt to break up a fight and just being dragged around the court. Hilarious, pure Knicks!"
Michael J. Fox; Edie Falco; Steve Schirripa; John Leguizamo
Michael J. Fox; Edie Falco; Steve Schirripa; John Leguizamo
Fox also remembers another unforgettable basketball moment.
"Another weird memory, the Finals game against the Rockets with picture-in-picture of the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase," he says.
When asked what has kept him believing through the years, Fox points to the fans: "When you feel like the team is letting you down, the fans lift you up again. They believe, so we believe, and this year ... you better believe we believe!"
And like many loyal fans, Fox has a game-day tradition he never skips.
"I always get a fist bump from Spike [Lee] on the way to my seat and a big sloppy hug from Tracy Morgan," he says.
Falco, 62, says one of her favorite Knicks memories came during the height of Lin-Sanity, the period when Jeremy Lin played for the team during the 2011-12 season.
"There are so many favorite Knicks memories, but I will say I was at many, many games consecutively during Lin-Sanity," she tells PEOPLE. "I went with my son, who was very young at the time, and we were completely caught up in the excitement of the time."
One game in particular stands out.
"There was one particular game where I sat next to John Lithgow, who I've always been a huge fan of. I had never met him before. But within short order, it felt like we were best friends, jumping and yelling and screaming, and my son was there," she says.
Falco still marvels at Lin's improbable run.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball between Stephon Castle #5 and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball between Stephon Castle #5 and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026
"Jeremy Lin was just some sort of magical nymph running up and down the court making these shots that made absolutely no physics sense," she says. "So there are a million great memories. That one's a huge one."
As for why she's stayed loyal to the Knicks through good years and bad?
"They're my team," Falco says. "They have good years, and they have bad years and there's nothing to believe in. If they're your guys, they're your guys, and you stick with them."
"Winning was never part of the deal, especially for a Knicks fan," she adds. "You love them regardless of their status in the league. It doesn't matter how they're doing."
Unlike many sports fans, Falco says she doesn't rely on any lucky rituals.
"I've never been superstitious like that," she says. "They have everything they need. It doesn't matter what shirt I'm wearing."
Schirripa's favorite Knicks memory dates all the way back to the team's last championship era.
"My favorite Knicks memory is watching them beat the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals," he tells PEOPLE. "I was sitting in my parents' Brooklyn apartment, watching on an old black-and-white TV."
The actor says his commitment to the team has never wavered.
"Because I'm a loyal, dedicated, die-hard fan," Schirripa, 68, says. "I've been rooting for the Knicks since I was eight years old, and I've never cheered for another team. Whether they like it or not, they've got me for life."
Assistant Coach Rick Brunson and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 29, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas
Assistant Coach Rick Brunson and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 29, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas
This playoff run has also inspired a new superstition.
"I have dinner before every Knicks game at MSG," he says. "Since this playoff run started, I've also had a chocolate biscotti during every game. Maybe it's just a good excuse to eat it, but I'm not going to stop as long as they keep winning."
Meanwhile Leguizamo, 65, says Knicks fans have always had someone to cheer for.
"I guess we always had a star to root for — Carmelo Anthony, Latrell Sprewell, John Starks, Julius Randle, Donte — plus I'm a Mets fan, I know how to suffer," he tells PEOPLE. "And we New Yorkers always root for the underdogs!"
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His game day tradition is simple. "Wear my Knicks cap that matches what I am wearing and my lucky three-carat diamond earring!" he says.
As the Knicks return to Madison Square Garden tonight looking to build on their 2-0 Finals lead, Fox, Falco, Schirripa and Leguizamo are among the countless fans hoping this long-awaited championship run has a storybook ending.