Christopher Morales came all the way from the Philippines, hoping to watch the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The cost of a ticket into Madison Square Garden changed that plan. The free block party zone outside the arena swells with fans hours before the games,

The Knicks are hosting a free watch party outside Madison Square Garden Friday night as they look to put away the Celtics and advance to their first Eastern Conference finals in decades. The free and open-to-the-public event lets attendees participate in Knicks-themed activities prior to Game 6 at Fan Plaza,

Knicks fans who don’t have a pricey ticket into Madison Square Garden can gather outside the world-famous arena for a free watch party. The Knicks host the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round Friday night.

Derrick White and Jaylen Brown combined for 60 points for the Celtics in the Game 5 victory in Boston. The Knicks pulled off two huge road comebacks to start the series, but went relatively quietly at TD Garden earlier this week. Jalen Brunson was limited to 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting and fouled out in Game 5.

The Knicks have a second chance to finish off the Celtics after a disappointing Game 5. Boston’s 127-102 win was drama-filled, with Jalen Brunson fouling out early in the fourth quarter and Josh Hart being bloodied after an elbow to the face. The Knicks will look to bounce back in Game 6, which sees the series return to Madison Square Garden.

NEW YORK — The Knicks weren’t ready for their prime time moment in Game 5 at TD Garden, unable to end a two-decade drought of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals despite facing a Celtics team without injured star Jayson Tatum.