\u201cNew Yorkers are understandably passionate about the Knicks, and the overwhelming majority of fans watched the game last night in ways that were both safe and fun,\u201d Mamdani\u2019s spokesperson, Sam Raskin, told MySA. \u201cBut the fights and disruptive incidents \u2013 including assaults on police officers \u2013 in various parts of the city are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shortly after the Spurs secured their first victory in the NBA Finals<\/a> on Monday, June 8, in Knicks\u2019 territory, videos circulated online showing San Antonio visitors being mobbed by rival fans. Jerseys were ripped off, fights erupted and harassing words were hurled as Spurs fans were escorted to a taxi.<\/p>\n More than 20 people were allegedly arrested after a mass brawl at Bryant Park. A Spurs player\u2019s wife and her friend claim they were also given the middle finger, highlighting the overwhelming and at times unsafe rivalry that\u2019s developed between the two fan bases.<\/p>\n The numerous, intense scuffles and encounters have sparked pushback from several public figures, including beloved Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.<\/a> Wemby respected people’s passion for the game but urged them to maintain respect for one another, reminding everyone that it is \u201cjust a game\u201d after all.<\/p>\n Ben Stiller<\/a>, who was in San Antonio for Game 1 of the finals, also weighed in on the violence, saying, “Being a Knicks fan doesn’t mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way,” according to a PageSix Instagram<\/a> post.\u00a0<\/p>\n