New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday that several streets in New York City will be co-named to honor the players of the New York Knicks for the duration of the team's playoff run. Each of the 15 players on the Knicks' current roster will be recognized with temporary street signs, with 7th Avenue and West 11th Street specifically being designated as Jalen Brunson Boulevard to pay tribute to the standout guard. This announcement was made in anticipation of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Knicks are set to host the Indiana Pacers.

In his announcement, Mayor Adams emphasized the significance of celebrating the Knicks, stating, 'The Knicks embody the spirit of New York—resilient, passionate, and unstoppable.' He highlighted the hard work and determination that has propelled the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, and expressed his hope that the co-naming of the streets would allow all New Yorkers to share in the pride of their team. With nearly 8.5 million residents in the city, along with countless fans from outside New York, the momentum behind the Knicks during this playoff journey has been palpable.

This marks the third consecutive playoff appearance for the New York Knicks; however, following back-to-back second-round eliminations, expectations for a deeper playoff run were substantial this year. The team, which secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season with a 51-31 record, faced significant challenges on their path. The Knicks successfully navigated a rigorous first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons and then delivered a stunning upset by eliminating the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in six games. Now, as they prepare to face the Pacers—a team that eliminated them in a memorable second-round series last season that lasted seven games—the Knicks aim to reclaim their place in the conference finals, a feat they last accomplished in 2000 when the Pacers defeated them in six games. A year prior, the Knicks triumphed over Indiana in the same round, leading them to the NBA Finals. If they can overcome the Pacers once more, the Knicks could advance to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, potentially facing either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves.