Jeff Hornacek knows about title droughts. Long before joining the Knicks, the coach already was quite familiar with long-suffering fan bases.

On Saturday night, the lifelong Cubs fan watched what happens when repeated misery is replaced by long-awaited exhilaration. Hornacek, who grew up in suburban Chicago, saw how much more special celebrations become when moments that never are promised actually arrive.

“It was fun to watch. They’re a fun group of guys to watch,” Hornacek said Sunday after the Cubs clinched their first National League pennant in 71 years. “Just enjoying the way they played together and played for each other. They got four more to go.”

Taking over a team that hasn’t won an NBA title since 1973, Hornacek hoped he could use the Cubs’ long-awaited playoff run — perhaps shown in clips — as inspiration for his talented, but unproven roster.

“You just wish you could take that, when you see playoffs in any sport, you see teams that get to the top, the confidence and the togetherness they have, you just want your own team to see that stuff and say, ‘Hey, look, this is what we can do,’ ” said Hornacek, whose brother once played in the White Sox organization. “Maybe some of it transfers to the different sports.

“I like as the year goes on to show them different things. Sometimes it’s basketball, the celebrations, or Finals plays from 30 years ago. All those things kind of get it into your head and that’s our ultimate goal. … There’s only one team that can do it, but why not you?”

When the Cubs open Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night in Cleveland, Hornacek won’t be watching. Instead, he will be across the street from Progressive Field, coaching his first game with the Knicks against the defending champion Cavaliers.

“It’s gonna be pretty wild in Cleveland,” Hornacek said. “There’s gonna be a lot of people around.”

That includes Indians owner Larry Dolan, a cousin of Knicks owner James Dolan.

“Oh, yeah?” Hornacek responded when told of the connection. “Uh-oh.”