Knicks Fans Turn Spurs Hotel Walkout Into a New York Sendoff Before Game 3

The Knicks made sure the Spurs felt New York before the ball even tipped. Yahoo Sports reported that a swarm of Knicks fans lined the street outside San Antonio’s hotel as the team walked out to its bus on Sunday, jeering the Western Conference visitors and drawing attention to Victor Wembanyama with taunts that included the line, “Get ready to go golfing.”

Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals is set for Monday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, with the series swinging back to Madison Square Garden. According to ’s Finals hub, the Knicks hold a 2-0 lead after taking Game 1 (105-95) and escaping Game 2 (105-104), setting up a pivotal night where San Antonio can push back or face the reality of another home loss.

The backdrop matters because Finals basketball is as much about atmosphere as it is about matchups. For San Antonio, arriving to the building is one thing, but walking through a hostile crowd outside the hotel is another. Wembanyama, already a league-wide focal point, becomes a natural target when opposing fans are looking for a symbol of their frustration and momentum, especially with the Knicks sitting one win away from going up 3-0.

On the court, the matchup is centered on how San Antonio handles New York’s primary engine, Jalen Brunson. ’s “what to expect” preview lists “How the Spurs defend Brunson” as its top storyline, framing it as the series question given Brunson’s ability to create offense with the ball in his hands. The same preview also notes that New York’s success in the postseason has relied heavily on efficiency across multiple areas of the floor, a detail that will matter if the Knicks look to impose their style early rather than defend against desperation basketball.

There is also a wider sense of event intensity around this Finals in Manhattan. AP reported that police scuttled an NBA Finals watch party near Madison Square Garden for Game 3, and that the Knicks warned fans to arrive at least two hours early as part of enhanced security measures tied to President Donald Trump attending the game. The message from New York officials is that the building and its surroundings will be managed tightly, even as the crowd noise outside can be loud and unmistakable.

What to watch on Monday is whether the Spurs can translate outside scrutiny into composed execution at the start of a high-leverage game. With the Knicks leading 2-0 and the series firmly in their home rhythm, San Antonio’s response, especially on possessions that test patience, will shape how quickly this hotel-walkout moment fades into the background or becomes an early warning sign.

The Knicks, for their part, will be trying to cash in on a raucous environment that can tilt small stretches into momentum. If Brunson’s game plan holds, New York’s ability to dictate pace and shot quality could turn Game 3 into the kind of statement performance that ends suspense quickly. If San Antonio finds answers early, the noise outside the hotel may be the only thing New York controls for the night.