On Monday evening, a diverse group of New Yorkers gathered in downtown Manhattan to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, blending sports enthusiasm with an artistic celebration during the 19th annual Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner. The event took place in the former Tribeca Grill space, which recently changed ownership to Major Food Group, the company behind Carbone and Torrisi. The venue is slated to reopen in 2027 as a new American tavern and steakhouse.

As the Knicks faced off against the Spurs, five large-screen televisions were positioned around the room, showing the live game. The décor and refreshments echoed team spirit, with caramel corn bowls, Knicks caps stacked on silver trays, and black-and-white cookies transformed with orange-and-blue frosting—the Knicks’ colors—complementing napkins embroidered with a Chanel logo in matching hues. Actress Teyana Taylor expressed a sense of youthful excitement, saying, “We’ve been waiting for this moment” and that the atmosphere made her “feel like a kid again.” Despite the conviviality, the Knicks ultimately lost the game 115-111.

The dinner honored 10 artists whose works were donated to be awarded at the Tribeca Festival, including Kiki Smith, Hank Willis Thomas, and twin designers Soull and Dynasty Ogun. The tables were adorned with white roses and blush peonies, while a martini bar and a four-tier seafood tower under ivy enhanced the setting. Music from Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan provided a soundtrack until the NBA game became the focal point.

Among the attendees were notable figures from film and entertainment. Filmmaker Sofia Coppola, who identifies less as a sports fan, acknowledged the special nature of the Knicks’ playoff appearance, noting, “There’s nothing else like being in New York,” adding that the city’s demanding spirit “weeds out the wimps.” Whoopi Goldberg, who played a Knicks superfan in the 1996 film “Eddie,” expressed optimism about securing tickets for upcoming games, remarking on the organization’s kindness toward her.

The gathering also carried a sense of nostalgia for 1990s New York, recalling the era when Robert De Niro opened Tribeca Grill in 1990. Among the guests, Sarah Pidgeon, known for her role as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the series “Love Story,” remarked on the opportunity to embody a figure from that period and to experience a glimpse of ’90s New York culture. Other attendees included Billy Crystal, Katie Holmes, Grace Gummer, Olivia Munn, and Chloe Malle.

As conversations flowed and guests mingled over a menu featuring hanger steak and Dover sole, attention frequently turned to the screens displaying the game. Servers kept a close eye on the score, recognizing that the evening’s energy was as much about the Knicks’ playoff run as it was about the intersection of sports, art, and city pride during this year’s Tribeca Festival, which continues through Sunday. The festival itself opened earlier this month with the premiere of Madonna’s short film “Confessions II,” showcasing music from her forthcoming album.