Where does Friday night rank among the best and busiest days in New York sports memory?
All eyes are on New York City on Friday night, as May 16, 2025 instantly became one of the bigger nights in recent sports history in Gotham the moment the Celtics forced a game six against the Knicks.
Boston's win set up a potential series clincher at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks have a chance to clinch their first playoff series at home since 1999, and advance to their first conference final since 2000. Meanwhile, a few subway stops uptown, the Yankees and Mets square off in one of their most hyped Subway Series matchups in years, as both teams are in first place, and oh yeah, Juan Soto will be making his return to the Bronx.
The buzz has been building all week, leading many to wonder where this day ranks among the best and busiest we have seen in New York sports. Taking a look back, there are multiple very recent entries that could compete with Friday night.
Oct. 14, 2024
We don't even have to go back a year to find another epic New York sports night. On this Monday, the Yankees were opening their ALCS against the Guardians in the Bronx, while the Mets were looking to tie their series with the Dodgers in game two of the NLCS. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets were taking on the Bills in Monday Night Football action, with first place in the AFC East on the line.
Oh yeah, and all three local hockey teams were in action, starting with the Devils taking on Utah for the first time ever at 1:00 in the afternoon. So, starting at 1:00, there was essentially non-stop New York sports action until after midnight, as the Islanders were battling the Avalanche on the road in a game where the puck didn't drop until 9:00.
Oct. 20, 2024
We were living good as New York sports fans in October of last year. There was another notable return happening at MetLife Stadium, as the Giants were hosting the Eagles in Saquon Barkley's first game back since signing with the hated rival. Meanwhile, the Jets were hosting the Steelers in what was, at the time, a hyped matchup due to the debut of Davante Adams and his reunion with Rodgers. Back on the diamond, the Mets were fighting for their playoff lives against LA in game six of the NLCS.
Then there was the hardwood, where the Liberty finally brought a title to the city with a wild overtime win over the Lynx in a winner-take-all game five of the WNBA Finals.
June 5, 1999
It wasn't quite the hype that Friday night carries thanks to the Soto aspect, but 26 years ago, the Yankees and Mets were in the middle of their now annual Subway Series clash, while the Knicks were in a crucial game three battle with the hated Pacers in what was a deadlocked Eastern Conference Final. It was the Larry Johnson 4-point play game, one of the most memorable moments in MSG history, while the Yankees beat the Mets for a second straight game.
It wasn't to the level of this weekend's Yanks/Mets clash, but it still had plenty of juice considering the Bombers were defending champs coming off the greatest season in league history, and the Mets were on their way to a 97-win season and an NLCS appearance.
June 17, 1994
You may know the events of the day just from seeing the date in writing, which speaks to how iconic this day was not just in New York, but across the sports world. The Knicks were at The Garden looking to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals against the Rockets, hoping to soon join the Rangers as champions parading down the Canyon of Heroes, where the Blueshirts were celebrating their Stanley Cup championship on that exact same day.
Of course, the New York teams took a bit of a back seat that day, as the TV broadcast of the NBA Finals cut to a shocking car chase, as O.J. Simpson was behind the wheel of a white Bronco in what became a bizarre day worthy of its own documentary.
