Frustrated New York Knicks fans clashed with police and each other at watch parties across Manhattan following the team’s 115-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, with reports of brawls, property damage and pepper spray deployed to disperse crowds.
The Spurs erased a halftime deficit and closed out the game on a late run to cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, while the Madison Square Garden crowd — which included President Donald Trump in attendance — grew increasingly vocal in its displeasure with officiating calls down the stretch.
Outside the arena, where enhanced security measures tied to the president’s visit had already canceled traditional watch parties near MSG, fans gathered at alternative sites including Bryant Park. What began as tense viewing turned disorderly after the final buzzer. Videos circulating on social media showed shoving matches, fans climbing barricades, pulling down signs and altercations between Knicks supporters and a small number of Spurs fans.
NYPD officers used pepper spray to break up one rowdy gathering at Bryant Park. No serious injuries or widespread arrests were immediately reported in connection with the post-game incidents, though authorities had prepared for potential unrest amid the high-stakes playoff atmosphere.
The loss snapped the Knicks’ 13-game playoff winning streak in front of a star-studded, capacity crowd at the Garden, the franchise’s first Finals home game in 27 years. Fans inside the arena directed loud boos at officials and visiting players, with chants of “Refs, you suck” echoing throughout the fourth quarter.
Social media videos of the post-game chaos:
NOW: Huge fight between Knicks Fans on 42nd street, man BASHED multiple times with a bus stop sign. Cops make multiple arrests.
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 | Licensing desk@freedomnews.tv pic.twitter.com/fafmxlWW4S
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) June 9, 2026
🚨INSANITY🚨
SPURS FAN gets ASSAULTED by a rabid mob of New York Nicks fans
Police is nowhere to be found… pic.twitter.com/p57KAD8vln
— PartiKing (@parti_king) June 9, 2026
Warning. Graphic.
NYPD had to contain rowdy Knicks fans at a watch party. This is horrible.
(via @FreedomNTV) pic.twitter.com/wV1tLeFjcM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 9, 2026
Spurs fans are currently being hunted and assaulted viciously in New York City.
Some of them can’t even make it out the street with their jerseys on😭 pic.twitter.com/KJVlX1rQbO
— PartiKing (@parti_king) June 9, 2026
Kanel witnessed NY Knicks fans start a RIOT and started SWINGING on the Cops who were stopping the fans from coming inside and pressing Kanel for wearing a Spurs jersey 😳👮♀️👀 pic.twitter.com/Pd8SiwRbRd
— Kanel Updates (@KanelUpdatess) June 9, 2026
