Quick Read
- Avery Wilson has performed the national anthem at six home playoff games, all of which the Knicks won.
- The Knicks lost the only home game this postseason where Wilson did not perform.
- Wilson is a Grammy-nominated actor known for his role in the Broadway revival of ‘The Wiz’.
- Game 3 of the NBA Finals saw crowd tension when President Donald Trump was booed during the anthem performance.
A Rising Star at Madison Square Garden
For the New York Knicks, the path to the NBA Finals has been defined by more than just high-scoring plays and defensive stops. Grammy-nominated Broadway performer Avery Wilson has emerged as an unexpected fixture of the team’s postseason run, with fans and staff alike now referring to him as the team’s “good luck charm.”
Wilson, known for his role as the Scarecrow in the Broadway revival of The Wiz, has performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before nearly every Knicks home game at Madison Square Garden. According to data reported by the Daily News, the Knicks hold a perfect 6-0 record in the playoffs when Wilson performs. The only home game the team lost this postseason was the lone contest Wilson missed due to a scheduling conflict.
From Broadway to the NBA Stage
Wilson’s connection to the Knicks began during the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on April 18. Initially intended as a one-off performance, his rendition made such an impact on MSG Sports COO Jamaal Lesane that Wilson was immediately invited back for the remainder of the run.
“He closed his eyes and felt emotional hearing me sing,” Wilson told the Daily News. “When he heard me sing it that time, something felt different.”
As the Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the atmosphere at the Garden intensified. During Game 3, however, the focus briefly shifted away from the court when President Donald Trump appeared in the arena. As Wilson performed the national anthem, the broadcast captured the crowd erupting into boos as the camera panned to the President, underscoring the high-stakes, politically charged atmosphere of the Finals.
A Lasting Impact
For Wilson, who is also an alumnus of NBC’s The Voice, the experience of performing in front of a capacity crowd at MSG differs significantly from the theatrical stage. He notes that the energy of the crowd is a primary driver of his performance. “I’ve seen it in halftimes when everybody goes to the bathroom. Nobody has to be locked in. So the fact that they are, it shows me really how special the moment is,” Wilson said.
As the Knicks continue their pursuit of the championship, Wilson remains a focal point of the pregame ritual, bridging the gap between New York’s Broadway culture and its professional basketball dynasty.