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Wynna Wong

Hundreds of Hong Kong basketball fans packed a Kowloon Bay cinema on Sunday to witness the New York Knicks secure their first NBA championship in 53 years, joined by seven-time ring winner Robert Horry as the franchise ended one of the longest title droughts in professional sports.
Organised by the NBA, the watch party drew fans of both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, who gathered for the 8.30am Hong Kong time tip-off knowing the series could be decided that morning.
A Knicks victory sealed the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973, while a Spurs win would have forced a Game 6 in the finals.
Horry, a seven-time NBA champion nicknamed “Big Shot Rob” for his clutch playoff performances, spent the morning interacting with fans, taking photographs and handing out prizes, including two courtside tickets to the NBA China Games in Macau in October.
Sunday’s gathering came at a time when the NBA’s relationship with China has largely stabilised following years of uncertainty.

After a social media post by then-Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey in 2019 triggered a political backlash that led to the suspension of broadcasts and a six-year absence of NBA games in the region, the league returned to Macau last year with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns facing off in two pre-season games.
Throughout the game, supporters rose to their feet repeatedly as the lead changed hands, with the outcome still in doubt as the fourth quarter entered its final 20 seconds.
After Mikal Bridges made one of two free throws to put the Knicks ahead by three points with 8.8 seconds remaining, the Spurs missed a chance to tie the game before OG Anunoby sealed the 94-90 victory from the free-throw line, prompting cheers and celebrations throughout the cinema.

Among those attending was Carl Ho, who said he never lost faith in the team despite several difficult moments during the playoffs.
“After the comeback in the last game, I still believed they could win,” he said.
Ho said the Knicks had repeatedly shown an ability to recover from adversity throughout their postseason run.
“A lot of the time they were behind, but they managed to come back,” he said.
Asked how he planned to celebrate, Ho said he would treat himself to a good meal.

The Knicks are one of the NBA’s most recognisable teams and play at Madison Square Garden, often referred to as the “Mecca of Basketball”.
Despite the profile, the franchise had not lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy for more than five decades.
While scenes of jubilation spread across New York, with fans flooding streets, bars and public spaces across the city, supporters in Hong Kong marked the moment from the other side of the world.
The NBA is set to stage another pre-season series in neighbouring Macau in October with the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets.
The Chinese market remains one of the NBA’s most important outside North America, with league officials previously estimating that hundreds of millions of people in the country actively play or follow basketball.


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Hundreds gather in Hong Kong to watch Knicks clinch first NBA title in 5 decades

Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry (third from right) poses for photos with Hong Kong fans. Photo: Wynna Wong

Organised by the NBA, the watch party drew fans of both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Photo: Wynna Wong

Robert Horry in 2007. The former San Antonio Spurs forward attended the watch party in Hong Kong on Sunday. Photo: AP

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives to the basket during the first half of Game 5. Photo AP

Hundreds of Hong Kong basketball fans gathered at a cinema at Megabox in Kowloon Bay on Sunday to watch the NBA final. Photo: Wynna Wong

The New York Knicks celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2026 NBA championship. Photo: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

New York Knicks beat San Antonio Spurs to claim first NBA title in 53 years

The New York Knicks celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2026 NBA Championship. Photo: Reuters

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown and the team celebrate after beating the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals. Photo: Reuters

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The first edition last year featured the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns. Photo: Karma Lo

The first edition of the NBA China Games attracted 22,634 spectators over two games. Photo: Karma Lo

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A giant inflatable basketball promoting the NBA China Games pre-season match between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns at the Venetian arena in Macau on Sunday. Photo: Karma Lo

Fans browse NBA China Games 2025 merchandise at The Venetian in Macau. Photo: Karma Lo

Lincoln Fok, his wife and their daughter were among the visitors to Macau. Photo: Wynna Wong

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Watch party at Kowloon Bay cinema attended by seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, who gave away tickets to pre-season games in Macau


Watch party at Kowloon Bay cinema attended by seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, who gave away tickets to pre-season games in Macau.


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Daryl Morey

Hundreds gather in Hong Kong to watch Knicks clinch first NBA title in 5 decades

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Watch party at Kowloon Bay cinema attended by seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, who gave away tickets to pre-season games in Macau

Watch party at Kowloon Bay cinema attended by seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, who gave away tickets to pre-season games in Macau