New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday that multiple streets in the city will be co-named to honor the players of the New York Knicks for the duration of the team's playoff run. All 15 members of the Knicks' current roster will receive recognition through this initiative, including standout guard Jalen Brunson, as 7th Avenue and West 11th Street has been designated Jalen Brunson Boulevard. This announcement was made just ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers.

During the announcement, Adams expressed his sentiments about celebrating the Knicks in this unique manner, stating, 'The Knicks embody the spirit of New York—resilient, passionate, and unstoppable. On the path to a championship, we recognize the hard work and determination that has gotten this team to the Eastern Conference Finals and we're celebrating this team by temporarily co-naming our city streets so all New Yorkers can celebrate their Knicks pride.' He emphasized that nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers, along with many others, are rallying behind the Knicks as they continue their postseason journey.

This marks the third consecutive playoff appearance for the Knicks, yet the pressure mounts as the team seeks to advance further than the previous two seasons, where they faced elimination in the second round. The Knicks, who finished the regular season with a record of 51-31, secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. They navigated a challenging first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons and advanced by surprising the defending champion Celtics, defeating them in a six-game series. Now, the Knicks are poised to take on the Pacers, a formidable opponent that previously eliminated them in a grueling seven-game series last season. The current series marks the Knicks' first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, a rematch of the past when the Pacers defeated them in six games. The Knicks previously triumphed against the Pacers in the same round the year prior, advancing to the NBA Finals. Should the Knicks overcome the Pacers once again, they aim to reach their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, where they would face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves.