American midfielder Tyler Adams 'blacked out' with USMNT teammates after Knicks thrilling rally

IRVINE, Calif. – The United States men’s national team played two exhibition games in the weeks leading up to the2026 World Cup, and the closest thing to an injury concern was left back Jedi Robinson finishing the second of those with cramping.

It turned out the game most hazardous to the players’ health happened 2,500 miles away.

In the NBA Finals.

If you’ve seen the reaction of Knicks fan Tyler Adams and others to New York’s impossibly absurd comeback victory Wednesday, you know what we mean. Watching the game on a big screen at their team hotel, Adams and the other U.S. players celebrated wildly when forward OG Anunoby tipped in the winning basket to put his team ahead of the San Antonio Spurs by a 3-1 margin in the series.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Adams, a defensive midfielder who is one of the most irreplaceable USMNT players,  reacted by stepping up onto the back of a couch behind where he stood as the basket connected, slipping slightly on a cushion as he climbed in his slippers. As if that weren’t enough, he climbed back over the same way he came, and the cushion came loose a second time.

That he didn't fall either time was evidence of his elite athleticism.

SOMEONE CHECK ON KNICKS FAN TYLER ADAMS https://t.co/ISvTYiYAie pic.twitter.com/2yy3qpec1S

“Anything could have happened in that,” Adams told The Sporting News. “I blacked out within it all. But happy we’re here today, to make another training.”

Adams is from the upstate New York town of Wappingers Falls and began his professional soccer career with the New York Red Bulls. He has been a lifelong Knicks fan, but at 27 that life previous included a single trip to the NBA Finals -- when he was four months old. Now, his team is a game away from the Larry O’Brien Trophy presented to the champs. The Knicks haven’t won the title since 1973.

“It would mean a lot. I have group chats with me and my boys from back home growing up,” Adams said. “And we’ve always been Knicks fans. And we’ve never been this close. So it’s exciting.”

DECOURCY: A fast start vs. Paraguay will lead to an easier path for USMNT

Adams could be seen celebrating with a number of his teammates, with goalkeeper Matt Turner filming the entire scene on his phone and defender Chris Richards jumping onto the top of a “dogpile” celebration.

Apparently, not all the USMNT players were as delighted. Adams pointed out Philadelphian Brendan Aaronson, a Sixers fan, “He can’t say anything,” Adams said. And LA’s Haji Wright “is a big hater right now. But I love all that energy.”