US Soccer Stars Celebrate as Knicks Complete Largest Comeback in NBA Finals History

Members of the United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup squad gathered to watch the New York Knicks pull off the largest comeback in NBA Finals history on the eve of the tournament’s opening, with midfielder Tyler Adams leading a raucous celebration that was captured on video.

Adams, a known Knicks supporter, was among the US players who assembled to watch the game. When New York completed the historic turnaround, the room erupted — and Adams’ reaction was particularly memorable, with footage showing him climbing and kicking across a couch in the process.

The celebration comes at a significant moment for the United States squad, who are preparing to compete in the first-ever 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Elsewhere, Morocco suffered a double injury blow ahead of their opening Group C match against Brazil on Saturday at MetLife Stadium. FIFA confirmed the withdrawal of winger Abde Ezzalzouli, formerly of Barcelona and most recently at Real Betis, and Nayef Aguerd, a Marseille defender who was a key figure in Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.

Ezzalzouli, who helped Real Betis qualify for next season’s Champions League and was considered a potential breakout star of the tournament, injured his right knee in a warm-up match against Norway. Initial assessments had suggested he might be retained for the knockout stages, but FIFA ultimately confirmed his withdrawal. Aguerd was also ruled out. They were replaced by Amine Sbai of French club Angers and Marwane Saadane of Saudi Arabian side Al Fateh. Morocco’s remaining Group C fixtures see them face Scotland on June 19 near Boston and Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.

Austria have also been forced into a late squad change, recalling midfielder Dejan Ljubicic nearly three years after his last international appearance. Coach Ralf Rangnick called up Ljubicic to replace Christoph Baumgartner, who tore his right thigh during a warm-up for a pre-tournament friendly against Tunisia and subsequently required surgery. Ljubicic, a more defensive-minded option than the versatile Baumgartner — who had scored 17 international goals — is set to join the squad at their training camp in Santa Barbara ahead of Austria’s opening Group J game against Jordan. Austria also face Argentina and Algeria in the group stage.