Morocco's match "in the shadows" in New York

New York will witness a clash on Saturday between the Knicks, who are just one win away from their first NBA championship since 1973, and the World Cup, with only one winner to emerge.

The city is buzzing with fan fever as its team approaches the NBA title after leading the finals series against the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 (the title is decided by the team that first wins four out of seven possible games), pushing the match between Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion, and Morocco into the background.

Actor Robert Chen (32) said near the fan zone designated for the World Cup at the Brooklyn Bridge: "The World Cup will be fun... but right now I'm a New Yorker, so we will support the Knicks, basketball! Let's get this win, and then we can think about the World Cup."

The MetLife Stadium in nearby New Jersey will be a major test for the train network connecting it to Manhattan, which has faced criticism for its high costs, with ticket prices reaching $98.

But New York is awash in Knicks orange as the team nears its first title in 53 years, which will be achieved if they win against the San Antonio Spurs in the fifth game held away in Texas.

Knicks fan Angel Diaz (42) said, "Everyone is eager for this victory, and the excitement fills the air... it's contagious," adding, "We have to take it step by step, we'll start with the Knicks first, then return to the World Cup," noting that the city will be "out of control" if the Knicks clinch the title.

Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to flock to downtown New York to attend the fifth game of the NBA Finals series.

City Mayor Zahraan Mamdani warned on Saturday: "For those traveling in Manhattan, prepare for heavy congestion in the city center," urging those heading to MetLife Stadium, which will host the first test for Brazil and Morocco, the fourth-place team in the 2022 edition, to allocate four to five hours for the trip.

The first four games of the NBA Finals series have seen heavy security both inside and outside the arenas.

Police are expected to be heavily deployed in Manhattan to prevent vandalism that marred previous encounters.

High temperatures and the possibility of thunderstorms may negatively impact the celebratory atmosphere.

In an industrial area of Brooklyn, Lucas Matuszewski, a 24-year-old who runs the "Soccer Roof" indoor futsal hall, said, "It's clear that the Knicks overshadow" the World Cup "as it should be," adding, "It's hard to compete with an established institution like the Knicks. Basketball is very loved in New York City."