50 Cent Blames Ja Rule for New York Knicks’ Playoff Heartbreak
In a dramatic end to the New York Knicks’ promising playoff run, rapper 50 Cent has placed the blame squarely on his long-time rival, Ja Rule. The Knicks were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs after a crushing 130-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday (May 19), much to the dismay of fans at Madison Square Garden.
Wasting no time, 50 Cent took to social media to voice his accusation. “If you’re wondering why the Knicks couldn’t get the W, here you have it. SMH who let this fool touch the trophy [trophy emoji] [facepalm emoji] LOL,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside a screenshot of Ja Rule holding and kissing the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the prize awarded to NBA champions, a title the Knicks haven’t claimed since 1973.
Ja Rule had appeared in a promotional video for the NBA playoffs just two weeks prior, where he enthusiastically supported the Knicks while holding the trophy. “Champions only, baby. Let’s go Knicks!” he declared, wearing a Knicks shirt. This video did not sit well with Knicks fans, who feared it might jinx their team’s playoff run, especially when they were leading the series 2-0 against the Pacers.
50 Cent added fuel to the fire by tweeting: “This janky ass [ninja emoji] put his juju all on the team. Fuck that I’m bet my money on the wolves! LOL.” After the Knicks lost game three, he reiterated his stance: “Man I told yall don’t bet on the knicks this janky ass [ninja] was holding a trophy, the shit just didn’t feel right now look. [raised eyebrow emoji] I told yall stay away from that fool smh ya don’t listen!”
Ja Rule responded by calling 50 a “fed” and a “goofy,” but the damage was done. While injuries to key players like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Julius Randle significantly contributed to the Knicks’ downfall, the narrative of a “Ja Rule curse” persisted among fans.
This isn’t the first time Ja Rule has been associated with an NBA curse. In 2019, after a widely mocked halftime performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he claimed to have cursed the team. In response to a post from the team’s official X account, Ja wrote: “You just jinx yourself talking to the GOD this way… your CURSED NOW!!! You won’t win a championship for the next 30 years… AND KAT IS LEAVING!!! Apologize and I’ll lift the CURSE!!! [blowing kiss emoji] kiss of death.”
While the Timberwolves have yet to win an NBA championship since that declaration, they are currently in the Western Conference finals after defeating the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, potentially challenging the so-called curse.
As the Knicks’ fans process their playoff heartbreak, the debate over Ja Rule’s involvement adds an intriguing, albeit contentious, twist to their season’s end.
