The enemy of my enemy… 

Andrew Cuomo bolted from the final mayoral debate — where he cleaned up against his socialist foe Zohran Mamdani — to sit courtside at Madison Square Garden with his new frenemy Mayor Eric Adams.

New York Mayor Eric Adams greets Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at Madison Square Garden. Getty Images

Cuomo rushed from Long Island City to Madison Square Garden after Wednesday night’s debate wrapped, to sit courtside with Adams. Getty Images

The Knicks beat the Cavaliers 119-111 with Cuomo and Adams in attendance. Getty Images

Just around 30 minutes after the debate wrapped at around 8:30 p.m. in Long Island City, Cuomo was seen embracing Adams as he arrived at the Midtown arena for the second half of the New York Knicks’ season opener.

The former governor flashed a thumbs-up while sitting alongside the Hizzoner, who ditched his long-shot re-election bid last month — and even offered a near endorsement for Cuomo’s campaign.

Hizzoner, who recently abandoned his own long-shot bid for mayor, even  for the ex-governor running as an independent

“Great win for the Knicks. We need to win for the city. Can’t go backwards,” Adams posted on his campaign social media account, along with his own picture of him grinning and giving a thumbs up while sitting next to Cuomo.

Cuomo also shared images on X of himself and Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony, shaking hands and smiling. X / @andrewcuomo

Cuomo participates in a second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College. AP

Adams has yet to weigh in on the race after dropping out last month — but has been leaning toward backing Cuomo despite his sharp words for the ex-governor during the campaign, according to sources.

For years, both have run in similar moderate political circles — which have been furiously working to prevent Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and front-runner, from taking over City Hall.

Here are some highlights from the final 2025 NYC Mayoral Debate

While Cuomo bolted for MSG following the debate, Mandai (pictured) and Sliwa stayed behind and joined the media “spin room” to discuss their performance. 
Paul Martinka

Cuomo arrived at the game in record time, sneaking in just in time for the second half with the Knicks leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 55-50. The Knicks held on for a 119-111 win to kick off the 2025-26 NBA season.

The former governor cheered “go Knicks, go Knicks, go Knicks” during his opening remarks at the second and final debate before the Nov. 4 election, where Cuomo will face-off against Mamdani and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

Cuomo went on to tell the debate audience at LaGuardia Community College that he hoped “we get an update on the score.

Mamdani, who faced a barrage of attacks from Cuomo during the 90 minute showdown hosted by Spectrum NY1, also used his opening remarks to address the Knicks.

“I know you’d rather be watching the Knicks,” Mamdani quipped to the crowd.

Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa on stage for the second and final mayoral debate. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

But as the thrice-elected former governor bolted for MSG following the debate, his opponents stayed behind and joined the media “spin room” to discuss their performance. 

While Sliwa declared himself the debate winner – and vowed to remain in the race despite deafening calls for him to drop his long-shot bid – Mamdani was joined by Cuomo’s sexual harassment accuser Charlotte Bennet. 

The Democratic Socialists of America candidate noted Bennett’s attendance from the debate stage as he ripped the 67-year-old embattled former pol for the allegations that prompted him to resign in disgrace in 2021.

“You have spent more than $20 million in taxpayer funds to defend yourself, all while describing these allegations as entirely political,” Mamdani said, adding, “You have even gone so far as to legally go after these women.

“One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is here in the audience this evening,” he said, pointing to the 29-year-old former Cuomo aide. “You sought to access her private gynecological records. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her.”

Cuomo has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Bennett, a former state employee, settled her lawsuit in April for $450,000.

Mamdani later took to social media to slam Cuomo for attending the Knicks game with Adams.

“Corruption goes courtside,” he wrote on X, sharing a photo of the controversial duo smiling in their VIP seats.