Knicks, Spurs condemn fan violence following Game 3 NBA Finals loss: 'Unacceptable'

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News on Jun 9, 2026

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NEW YORK — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was surprised to hear Knicks fans attacked Spurs fans following their Game 3 loss of the 2026 NBA Finals late Monday night.

“Fans got attacked?” he asked. “I didn’t know that.

“My thoughts of course is that we can’t forget it’s a game. We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but to the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

A video went viral of Knicks fans attacking a Spurs fan in the streets of New York City following the Knicks’ 115-111 loss to the Spurs on Monday. At least 21 Knicks fans were taken into custody for disorderly conduct, including one who was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

“The game is built off of respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other,” Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns said on Tuesday. “We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA Finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

A mob of Knicks fans attacked a Spurs fan wearing a Tim Duncan jersey after the Game 3 loss. Another Knicks fan attacked nearby pedestrians using the the “no standing” sign hanging from a street post.

“I feel we’re here to play a basketball game. That’s the main thing,” said Julian Champagnie, the Spurs sharpshooter who is an alumnus of Brooklyn’s Bishop Loughlin High School. “I feel like for the fans it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home, stuff like that. It’s just a basketball game at the end of the day. Whether we win, they win, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game no matter who they’re voting for. That’s how it goes.”

Things also got hectic at a watch party at Bryant Park, where 21 people were taken into custody following an altercation that left five NYPD officers injured.

“We don’t want to sacrifice safety over a game of basketball that we love. We go out there and compete every night and we value safety, and I feel like that’s one through 15 on this side and one through 15 on that side. We don’t want to see people get hurt,” said backup Spurs forward Keldon Johnson. “We don’t want to see any type of violence coming into the game of basketball. This is a beautiful sport, we put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it, and it’s not what we want to see. We don’t want to see violence. We want to see everyone healthy and happy. Obviously have passion for the team you’re rooting for. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I feel like when health and safety comes into the balance, you’ve got to draw the line.”

The NYPD also made multiple arrests for disorderly conduct — specifically climbing light posts and a subway station overhand — at a watch party near Madison Square Garden after the Knicks completed their four-game sweep for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals in late May.