Spurs star Wembanyama blasts violence against San Antonio fans in New York 2026

Spurs players condemn social media videos showing violence against San Antonio fans in New York after Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Spurs players react to fan violence Victor Wembanyama joined teammates from both the Spurs and Knicks in speaking out against the disturbing videos circulating online. These clips showed apparent New York fans attacking San Antonio supporters on city streets and forcibly removing their jerseys. Upon learning about these incidents, Wembanyama firmly rejected such behavior. 'My thoughts of course [are] that we can't forget it's a game,' he stated. 'We're just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It's unacceptable.' ## Knicks center echoes condemnation of fan attacks Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns also addressed the troubling scenes, emphasizing the importance of respect and sportsmanship. 'The game is built off of respect and passion,' Towns explained. 'We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It's the NBA Finals. There's no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.' ## Spurs forward calls for peaceful fan culture Julian Champagnie, a forward for the Spurs and a Brooklyn native, shared his perspective on walking the streets of Midtown Manhattan during the team's downtime. He insisted he 'doesn't feel any threat' in the area. 'I feel we're here to play a basketball game. That's the main thing,' Champagnie noted. 'I feel like for the fans, it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home. Whether we win, they win, it doesn't really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game, no matter who they're rooting for.' ## Spurs address security concerns in New York A representative for the San Antonio Spurs stated that the team has not encountered any security-related problems during its stay in New York. This comment came as the organization monitored the aftermath of Game 3, where multiple videos highlighted confrontations between fans. ## Spurs rookie describes hostile New York atmosphere Dylan Harper, a rookie for the Spurs and a New Jersey native, revealed that Game 3 was his first experience feeling uneasy in New York. 'It's my first time in New York, walking out and getting booed. I can say that,' he admitted. He added, 'It's kind of been every series. I think [in Oklahoma City during the Western Conference Finals, we got booed a little bit. Not really much in Minnesota and Portland. But I feel like it's New York, [a] hostile environment. I don't think it would feel the same if it wasn't this hostile.' ## Game 3 outcome and fan incidents reported The Spurs secured a 115-111 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Following the match, ABC News cited the New York Police Department in reporting at least 21 arrests tied to multiple fan-related incidents across the city.