Tottenham were given a real welcome in New York outside their hotel on Sunday.
As the team walked to its bus, Knicks fans lined the street and booed their Western Conference rivals before Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.
The Knicks and Spurs had two days between games after the Knicks knocked off San Antonio on the road in Games 1 and 2 to take a 2-0 lead in their bid to win their first championship since 1973.
Although they haven’t played since Friday, the excitement over the Knicks’ first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 has not subsided, and that was evident by the throngs of fans waiting outside the Spurs’ hotel.
In the video posted on social media, boos erupted as the Spurs exited their hotel in Manhattan and were only picked up when San Antonio star Victor Wimpanyama was on his way to the team bus.
Al-Fariq Hotel, June 7. Screenshot via X/@capstoreonline
One fan was heard shouting: “Keep the bus running” at Tottenham and then “Get ready to play golf mate!” Towards Wimbaniyama when leaving the hotel.
Knicks fans have become as much of a story during the team’s run to the NBA Finals as the players themselves, with wild viewing parties and celebrations outside Madison Square Garden becoming an Internet sensation.
However, the celebratory nature around Madison Square Garden will be less intense due to the additional security measures that will be in place with President Donald Trump in attendance for Game 3.
“After careful coordination and evaluation, the Secret Service and the NYPD have jointly determined that outdoor watch parties cannot be held in the immediate vicinity of Madison Square Garden,” Matt McCall, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service, said in a statement.
An NYPD spokesperson said they “expect viewing parties to resume at Madison Square Garden for Game 4.”
Monday will mark the first time the NBA Finals have been played at MSG since June 21, 1999, when the Knicks defeated the Spurs 89-81 in Game 3 to cut the series deficit to 2-1.