On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that several streets in the city will be temporarily co-named to honor the players of the New York Knicks as they progress through the playoffs. Each of the 15 players on the current Knicks roster will receive recognition through new street signs, with notable guard Jalen Brunson being honored by the designation of 7th Avenue and West 11th Street as Jalen Brunson Boulevard. This announcement came ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Knicks are set to host the Indiana Pacers.

During the announcement, Mayor Adams expressed the significance of the Knicks to the identity of New York City, stating, 'The Knicks embody the spirit of New York—resilient, passionate, and unstoppable.' He emphasized the team's journey to the Eastern Conference Finals and the community's support, noting that nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers, along with millions beyond the city, are rallying behind the Knicks as they continue their playoff run.

The Knicks are competing in the playoffs for the third consecutive season, having faced challenges in the past two years after being eliminated in the second round. This year's roster, which finished the regular season with a record of 51-31, earned them a No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, placing them behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. In the playoffs thus far, the Knicks have demonstrated resilience, overcoming a tough challenge from the Detroit Pistons in the first round and surprisingly defeating the defending champion Celtics in six games in the second round. Their upcoming matchup against the Pacers is significant, as Indiana previously eliminated New York in a tightly contested seven-game series last season. The Knicks last played in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000, when they fell to the Pacers in six games. A victory over Indiana could lead them to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, where they would face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves.