San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was the target of a deplorable act by Knicks fans following Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Following the Spurs’ painful 106-107 defeat to the New York Knicks, Schadenfreude was rampant among Knicks supporters. As the Spurs players made their way from the team bus to their hotel, they were verbally harassed and relentlessly booed by individuals claiming to be ‘fans’. When Wembanyama exited the bus and headed towards the hotel, someone from the crowd threw eggs at the Frenchman.
Video footage captured the shameful incident. The 22-year-old initially tried to appear unfazed but could not hide his anger shortly after. Accompanied by a security guard, he eventually disappeared into the hotel.
The frustration among the Texans was already profound. After the historically poor 106-107 collapse, the Spurs are now down 1-3 in the Finals series and have their backs against the wall. After already squandering a lead in Game 2, Game 4 presented an even greater blow. Despite at one point leading by 29 points, San Antonio completely collapsed and lost a victory they thought was secure. No team in Finals history has ever surrendered such a large lead. Legend Charles Barkley later described the Spurs as the ‘dumbest team in the history of mankind’.
Wemby also contributed to the defeat: the center missed two crucial free throws in the final phase and was unable to prevent his team’s collapse. He appeared exhausted, particularly after halftime, and struggled to score. With only eight points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field, 1-of-3 from three-point range, and 1-of-4 from the free-throw line, his second half performance was notably weak for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Chaos in New York: Police Describe ‘Extremely Reckless and Dangerous Behavior’
Meanwhile, a state of emergency prevails in New York. The Knicks are on the verge of their first NBA title since 1973, leading to widespread celebrations in the metropolis. However, the euphoria around Madison Square Garden repeatedly descends into chaos. The attack on Wembanyama was not the only headline-grabbing event – numerous other incidents occurred off the court. The New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested 15 individuals on Wednesday evening, with another 41 receiving court summons.
According to the police, approximately 10,000 people gathered around the arena during the game. As the Knicks mounted their spectacular comeback, the mood grew increasingly volatile. Fans damaged police vehicles, blocked streets, threw bottles at officers, and climbed scaffolding, traffic lights, and other traffic infrastructure. Items were also reportedly stolen from a truck and then thrown at police officers. In total, ten officers were injured, one of whom was hit in the head by a glass bottle.
The NYPD subsequently described the behavior as ‘extremely reckless and dangerous’ and emphasized the need for increased police presence around Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have their first chance to clinch the title on Sunday night, with Game 5 scheduled to take place in San Antonio (2:30 AM CET).
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs: Finals at a Glance
| Date | Time | Matchup | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 4 | 2:30 AM | New York Knicks 105:95 San Antonio Spurs | 1 |
| June 6 | 2:30 AM | New York Knicks 105:104 San Antonio Spurs | 2 |
| June 9 | 2:30 AM | San Antonio Spurs 115:111 New York Knicks | 3 |
| June 11 | 2:30 AM | San Antonio Spurs 106:107 New York Knicks | 4 |
| June 14 | 2:30 AM | New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs | 5 |
| June 17 | 2:30 AM | San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks | 6 (if necessary) |
| June 20 | 2:30 AM | New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs | 7 (if necessary) |