Even if you haven’t watched a single game of the Knicks' historic NBA Finals run, Saturday’s Game 5 against the Spurs in San Antonio is appointment television as the Knicks vie to win it all.

The moment is unique in New York City history as the Knicks are possibly the one New York team that unites the whole town, usually in misery. (Yes, we have the Nets, but … not the same). But Knicks fans’ long winter of discontent may soon be made glorious summer and America’s biggest city is more electric than ever.

So, if you’re just joining the orange and blue bandwagon (no shade), here’s what to know:

You may have already missed the best game of the series

On Wednesday night, the Knicks recovered from a 29-point deficit at halftime in the biggest NBA Finals comeback since the league began tracking these stats (which, for reasons passing understanding, it only started doing in 1997). OG Anunoby tipped in the ball just as the final buzzer was going off in what Knicks coach Mike Brown said was the most iconic shot in basketball history.

But before Wednesday, the Knicks had already made history just by getting to the finals at all. The Knickerbockers haven’t been to the finals since 1999 and they haven’t won since 1973.

And it's not just that they were unlucky: Throughout much of the 21st Century the Knicks have objectively stunk. The team cycled through players, coaches and executives and became the laughingstock of the NBA. After losing the finals to, yes, the Spurs in 1999, the team endured two decades of loserdom, making it to the playoffs only four times between 2002 and 2020.

Now, odds that the drought may be over are increasing: Only once in NBA Finals history has a team led 3-1 and lost the series.

Basically if you love New York City at all, you kind of have a duty to watch Saturday night. But that’s OK, because it will be virtually impossible to walk through the five boroughs without seeing a screen.

Where to watch: everywhere

The game will start at 8:30 p.m. at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and will be broadcast on ABC.

You’re likely to stumble across the game even if you’re not looking for it. The city will be airing Game 5 at 130 LinkNYC kiosks along city streets, after first airing Game 4 on a few dozen kiosks Wednesday evening. It had been the first time a sporting event was livestreamed at the stations, which normally provide Wi-Fi and bulletins on city services. City officials say they first reached out to the NBA on Monday and the sports organization was enthusiastic about the no-cost arraignment.

But the city isn't saying which specific kiosks will show the game, so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled.

But here are a few of the more popular (or quirky) destinations for planned gatherings:

  • Brooklyn Bowl has been hosting big watch parties through the series.
  • Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is also hosting one. Wollman Rink in Central Park has been another popular destination.
  • If you want to combine dancing and the basketball game, nightclubs like Elsewhere are also hosting screenings.
  • At least one funeral home is hosting watch parties if you’d like to commune with fans past.

Frankly … walk into virtually any bar and there’s a good chance you’ll see the game on. Neighborhood Reddit and Facebook groups have been assembling ad-hoc lists. There are also hundreds of local watch parties happening around the five boroughs. People have been putting up screens outside their houses and apartment buildings.

And business is booming for a lot of watering holes.

Vanessa Whalen, who owns the pub The Black Bull in Brooklyn Heights, said she’s been in the unfortunate position of having to turn people away.

“I don't want to overcrowd. You have to remember things like you have two toilets in a place. You don't want a huge line for that,” Whalen said. “You have to remember how hot it gets in a bar because the AC can't handle so many hot bodies.”

(We don’t want to start any undue panic, but Whalen also complained of a supply chain issue in getting beer. One of her usual distributors was out and she briefly had to scramble to find another.)

At least one bar will not be playing the Knicks. Wilka’s, one of at least three lesbian sports bars in the city, has proudly declared a no-male sports policy and they’re sticking to their guns.

Wilka's Sports Bar bills itself as New York Cirty's "First Women's Sport Bar" ... and the Knicks players aren't women.

Via Instagram

OK, but what about the Garden?

If you’re hoping to watch outside Madison Square Garden, which would be a perfectly normal expectation in other cities, you may be out of luck.

James Dolan, the owner of the Knicks and MSG, complained Wednesday that Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD were putting too many restrictions on the stadium’s watch party planned for that night. The NYPD and mayor pushed back, saying it was Dolan who asked to limit the number of attendees and the city had a responsibility to provide a safe environment for fans.

Dolan refused to put up screens for fans and the watch party was canceled.

At least one person was seriously assaulted that night and close to 56 others were arrested for breaking a variety of public nuisance laws. As of Friday afternoon, there had been no word of whether Madison Square Garden will host a watch party on Saturday.

It’s been really, really hot though.

The tail end of this week has been brutal, but the weather is expected to improve somewhat over Thursday and Friday’s heat and humidity. Temps at night will get down to the low 70s and the daytime peak is forecast at 86 degrees. Still, if you’ll be out in the heat, grab a water bottle and stay hydrated.

So what’s next?

If the Knicks win Saturday, you’ll probably hear it. Knicks fans will flood the streets in celebration of their first championship in more than half a century.

If they lose, it’s back to New York City for Game 6 Tuesday night.