WWE star Danhausen appeared on Pat McAfee's NBA Finals Altcast during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden [1, 2].
The appearance highlights the intersection of sports entertainment and professional basketball, as the wrestler's persona has become linked to the New York Knicks' unexpected success this season.
Danhausen spoke about his role in lifting the team's alleged curse during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. According to reports, the Knicks were trailing 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round when Danhausen performed his "uncursing" ritual [2]. Following that event, the team continued a strong run through the postseason.
The team's momentum included a 22-point comeback victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals [3]. They followed that performance with a 119-103 win in Game 2 of the same series [3].
During the Altcast interview, Danhausen described the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden and discussed the supernatural themes of his character. He said, "You! Are! Uncursed!" [2].
While the wrestler celebrated the team's progress, reports differ regarding the Knicks' opponent in the Finals. Some sources identify the Oklahoma City Thunder as the opposing team, while others list the San Antonio Spurs [4, 5]. Regardless of the opponent, the presence of a WWE personality at Game 3 underscores the spectacle surrounding the New York franchise's return to the championship stage [2].
“"You! Are! Uncursed!"”
The involvement of a WWE personality in the NBA Finals narrative reflects a broader trend of 'sportainment,' where professional wrestling's theatricality is used to amplify the emotional stakes of traditional sports. By framing the Knicks' success as the lifting of a curse, the organization and its supporters lean into a narrative of redemption that appeals to both die-hard basketball fans and a wider pop-culture audience.
