New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants everyone in the city to watch the Knicks play in the NBA Finals, no matter how late the games are, or the viewer’s age.
Each finals game will start at 8:30 p.m. ET, which could lead to late nights for youngsters with school the next day. So, on Monday, while surrounded in his office by many young children, Mamdani playfully signed an executive order repealing bedtimes for kids for the duration of the league’s championship series.
“As Mayor, you’re forced to make many difficult decisions,” Mamdani wrote on Twitter while announcing his executive order. “This was not one of them. Go Knicks.”
Today, I signed an Executive Order temporarily repealing bedtimes in the City of New York so that kids of all ages can watch our team in the NBA Finals.
As Mayor, you’re forced to make many difficult decisions. This was not one of them.
Go Knicks. pic.twitter.com/DqjNtVh17h
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2026
The order, written in an unofficial Comic Sans font, read in part:
“WHEREAS it is important for all New Yorkers of all ages to support the Knicks in their championship run and WHEREAS bedtimes should not impede the ability of New York’s cutest to cheer for the Knicks and watch every second of this historic championship series.”
The order finishes by stating that it will take effect immediately and “shall not expire until the Knicks complete — and hopefully win — this historic championship run.”
It also features several hand-painted illustrations along the left side.
Game 1 between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs is set to tip off Wednesday in San Antonio. Should the series end in 4 games, the ruling would expire after 10 days on June 10. Should the series go the distance, Game 7 is set for June 19, which would give kids a little under three weeks to stay up into the wee hours of the night.
Mamdani has been outspoken in his efforts to maximize accessibility for locals during the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. He previously announced watch parties around the city in an effort to bring the excitement of an in-person group experience to more people than just those who can afford the exorbitant ticket prices to attend games at Madison Square Garden.
Stubhub currently has the cheapest nosebleed ticket for Game 3 in New York listed at $4,643. The excitement around the city has been palpable as celebrity Knicks superfans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and others get to watch New York’s first crack at a championship this century. The franchise hasn’t actually won a title in 53 years, so everyone will be straining to get a good view of potential history in the making.
Now, Mandami is trying to ensure even the youngest of Knicks fans can enjoy every second of the NBA Finals, even if there’s a little overtime.
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