Knicks Fans Convinced Newly Elected Pope Signals Celtics Elimination

The New York Knicks took all the momentum from the Boston Celtics in a matter of 72 hours, and the rowdy fans camping outside Madison Square Garden added to their optimism when the Vatican elected a new Pope on Thursday.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, was named the first American-born Pope, and Knicks fans consider it a prophecy for New York’s next championship. Prevost, now referred to as Pope Leo XIV, wasn’t raised in the Big Apple or a Knicks fan, but the 69-year-old did graduate from Villanova University — where New York teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges all played together for three seasons.

So when Knicks fans discovered Prevost’s background, they immediately drew the Wildcat connection and welcomed Pope Leo XIV with open arms. Prevost wasn’t just introduced by the Vatican; he also became the fourth (unofficial) Villanova alum embraced by New York, and it’s come at quite a moment for the fanbase.

It’s been 25 years since the last time the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals, and they’re now two wins away from dethroning the reigning champion Celtics and ending the drought. The Prevost development, although unexpected, has fired up New Yorkers everywhere as the team looks to take a 3-0 lead over Boston on Friday night.

Andrew Schulz, comedian
“New pope went to Villanova. Knicks in 4,” Schulz wrote on X.

Spike Lee, film director/Knicks superfan
“What a HOLY BLESSING,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “THE KNICKERBOCKERS ARE GONNA WIN THE 2024-25 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IT IS DIVINITY. GOD BLESS. And Dat’s Da HOLY TRUTH, RUTH. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.”

Peter Rosenberg, radio show host
“The new Pope went to Villanova?!” Rosenberg wrote on X. “Oh man just give the Knicks the chip now.”

Brunson and the Knicks celebrated at TD Garden on Wednesday night after the Celtics — for the second straight game — choked away a 20-point lead. Jayson Tatum shrank under the bright lights by scoring 13 points. New York’s Tom Thibodeau coached circles around Boston’s Joe Mazzulla and the Knicks are halfway to pulling off one of the NBA’s greatest playoff upsets in history.

The series isn’t over, but that isn’t stopping New York believers from committing to their newfound faith in Pope Leo XIV and the Knicks.

“I’m just happy we find a way to win,” Brunson said after Game 2, per ESPN. “That’s some wild stuff right there. … We’re just going to keep fighting. We just gotta keep each other in the locker room, focus on each other, focus on us, and just focus on one thing at a time. Never focus on Game 3.”

It’s do-or-die time now for the Celtics.