Knicks nix in-game music, video, other entertainment in first half

NEW YORK -- The Knicks announced shortly before Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors that there would be no in-game music, video or other entertainment during the first half.

The motivation was to allow fans to "experience the game in its purest form," according to a message posted on the scoreboard.

"Enjoy the sounds of the game," the message read. The team declined to comment further on the decision.

Normally, the Knicks play music during and between possessions of games and feature various forms of in-game entertainment on their video scoreboard. This is custom in all NBA arenas.

In the first half of Sunday's game, though, there was no music or songs from the in-game organist at the arena.The Knicks didn't even show any of the celebrities in attendance at the game on the big screen -- something they usually do throughout the game.

The Knicks and Warriors' starting lineups were also introduced without any music and with the lights in the arena on. Typically, the Knicks' lineup is introduced with the lights off and a spotlight on the starters as their names are announced with music.

It made for a mostly quiet atmosphere early on, particularly during timeouts or other breaks in the action, when in-game music or other entertainment usually fills the void.

After his Knicks lost 112-105 to Golden State,Kristaps Porzingissaid it was "weird" playing with no music in the first half.

"I didn't like it," the Knicks' second-year player said. "It was weird for me. But I guess that's how it was back in the day."

The natural crowd noise picked up in the second quarter as the Knicks rallied to take a lead against the Warriors. The music and in-game entertainment returned during halftime and at the beginning of the second half.

ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.