The Rest of the NBA Finals Should Be Played in San Antonio

For decades, New York Knicks fans have portrayed themselves as the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in basketball. After Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, they earned a different reputation. Knicks fans at least showed themselves to be nothing more than animals. Wait, most animals don’t act that badly!

If the NBA were handing out championships for embarrassing behavior, New York would already be hanging another banner from Madison Square Garden. Let’s change embarrassing to criminal behavior!

The Spurs’ 115-111 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 should have been remembered for Victor Wembanyama’s brilliance, San Antonio’s resilience, and a finals series that suddenly became competitive again. Instead, much of the conversation has centered around the actions of Knicks fans after the game.

I did not see Spurs fans beating up Knicks fans in San Antonio, but then again, most of the Knicks fans that traveled had security. The sad thing is that Knicks fans in general were priced out of seeing their team play in these Finals because those tickets went to rich and famous folks.

Reports from New York detailed chaos around Bryant Park and surrounding streets. More than 20 people were taken into custody after fights broke out, property was damaged, and police officers were injured. Videos circulated across social media showing individuals wearing Spurs gear being harassed, chased, and confronted simply for supporting the opposing team. Some Spurs jerseys were ripped apart, while other fans were forced to seek police assistance to leave the area safely.

Knicks watch parties turn to violence after Game 3 loss to Spurs

This wasn’t passionate fandom.

This wasn’t home-court advantage.

This was mob behavior.

The worst part is that the victims were not players, coaches, or officials. They were ordinary basketball fans who made the mistake of wearing the wrong jersey in the wrong city after a basketball game. Nobody should have to fear being assaulted because of the team they support.

Even the players understood that.

Victor Wembanyama condemned the incidents and emphasized that basketball is supposed to be played with respect. Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns also called for civility and reminded fans that sports should be enjoyed respectfully. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie echoed those sentiments and made it clear that violence has no place in basketball culture.

When the players show more maturity than the fans, something has gone wrong.

The ugliness didn’t stop with the street incidents. Reports surfaced of Knicks fans gathering outside the Spurs’ hotel to boo players as they boarded their bus. While booing opponents is part of sports, the atmosphere surrounding the series has increasingly crossed the line from rivalry into hostility.

The irony is that New York spent 26 years waiting to return to the NBA Finals. Generations of Knicks fans dreamed about this moment. Yet after one home loss, a portion of the fan base responded not with disappointment but with destruction.

Meanwhile, San Antonio has handled itself with class.

Knicks fans RIOT after Game 3 loss — Trump, brawls and pepper spray in NYC

The Spurs players have stayed focused on basketball. Their fans have celebrated victories without turning city streets into a battleground. Wembanyama’s response demonstrated exactly why he is rapidly becoming one of the faces of the NBA. He could have poured gasoline on the fire. Instead, he chose respect.

That is why many neutral fans are now finding themselves rooting for San Antonio. How could you not root for the Spurs after that shit? Who cares if Spike Lee or ben Stiller get to see their team win a championship, they are Millionaires I am sure nothing will change in their lives with a Knicks win! They will still be rich entitled assholes.

It isn’t because they hate New York.

It isn’t because they dislike Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns.

It’s because sports fans generally appreciate class, sportsmanship, and perspective. When they see videos of Spurs supporters being harassed, jerseys being ripped off, police making arrests, and public property being damaged after a basketball game, they naturally begin to sympathize with the other side.

The NBA Finals should actually be moved to San Antonio. The Knicks earned the right to host games through their performance on the court, and the fact that New York is an unsafe city has to factor in. Is this worth dying for? Maybe other team’s fans will act with some sense, fans have already died at games in other cities because of fan violence, try being a Dodgers fan and going to a game against the Giants in San Fran! Move the games out of New York and maybe others will act in a better manner. My guess is that they want as our culture has become nothing more than confrontation and violence.

Basketball is supposed to bring people together. It is supposed to create unforgettable memories. Not end up and violence and possible death.

What happened after Game 3 created the wrong kind of memory.

Any fan with any kind of sense will be cheering for the Spurs after the game three incidents.

Go Spurs Go.