Win or lose, some Knicks fans are still going to act up. After San Antonio suffered a devastating Game Four defeat in the NBA Finals, Knicks supporters egged Spurs star Victor Wembanyama as he entered his hotel on June 10.
According to videos and social media reports, a throng of Knicks fans gathered at the Spurs bus after the Madison Square Garden game, throwing eggs and other objects. Security quickly stepped in to prevent an uglier incident, and most accounts say Wemby mostly escaped the pelting.
The incident follows a chaotic few days in New York City. Spurs diehards wearing team merch have been harassed on the streets and targeted by violent attacks. Police are currently seeking suspects for an assault and robbery in Hell’s Kitchen that left one fan recovering in the hospital.
Rowdy fans have been a problem throughout the NBA Finals. Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images
Public figures from both sides of the fandom have been calling for calm. In response to Ben Stiller, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for mutual respect (while still getting in a dig at the star center).
“We'll win this series on the court (even if the refs refuse to call a flagrant on Wemby), not by targeting, harassing, or attacking Spurs fans,” wrote Mamdani on X.
San Antonio’s mayor, Gina Ortiz Jones, posted her own condemnation, calling the reports “deeply troubling.”
“To our fans in New York, walk in groups, stay aware, and look after one another,” she posted. “Violence has no place in this game. Basketball is about community, and San Antonio's community doesn't stop at our city limits.”
Neither statement soothed the rawness of the Spurs’ hometown supporters. Several comments took issue with Mamdani ending his post with “Knicks in 5.” Back in San Antonio, the Spurs faithful took issue with Jones’ pushback against the Spurs stadium funding deal.
“Girl, whatEVER. You have more smoke for Charles Barkley than you do for the people targeting Spurs fans,” wrote one fan, referring to an ESPN interview where the Mayor directly took aim at the former basketball star, who has been dunking on San Antonio for years.
Despite the crushing setback, the Spurs might have to deal with Knicks crowds at least one more time. If the Silver and Black win the home game at Frost Bank Center on June 13, they will be back in New York for Game Six on June 16.
