Surrounded by Knicks fever, Spurs fans in New York need to celebrate too

New York City is pulsing with more energy than usual in the build-up to the Knicks facing the Spurs in a crucial game five of the NBA Finals tonight.

But in a city fiery with Knicks passion and a championship on the line, it can be tough for San Antonio fans living in the same city.

“Spurs fans that live in New York City are just as much part of the city as anyone else,” said Dave Rizo, owner of Yellow Rose, a San Antonio, Texas-themed restaurant in Manhattan.

If the New York Knicks win tonight’s game in the best-of-seven series, they will clinch the National Basketball Association championship for the first time in over 50 years – a huge moment for the team and its fans.

Yellow Rose is one of a few local establishments recognizing New Yorkers with Texas roots and Spurs passion – and it tries to show up for them.

A cardboard cutout of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s face, a Spurs flag and painted banner, and a signed card from Spurs owner Peter Holt greet customers. But while it has livestreamed the Finals for customers, it’s a restaurant – not a sports bar – and the vibe is pretty low-key. Rizo says he’s keeping it that way.

“I don’t want to unintentionally add more fuel to any of the fire that’s going on,” the San Antonio native told the BBC. “I want this to be a safe space for people that are Spurs fans.”

There have been a few instances of violence in New York City against Spurs fans, including one assault that landed a fan in the hospital and another in which a fast food worker wearing a Spurs jersey was attacked, according to local reports.

Both Knicks and Spurs players have condemned the violence and harassment.

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“We’re just playing a game out there. And I’m all for passion, but with respect for each other. It’s unacceptable,” the Spurs’ Wembanyama said recently at a press conference.

The Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns echoed Wembanyama’s sentiment, urging fans to “leave the physicality to everyone on the court”.

Finals fan harmony is possible though, according to those on the frontlines of frenzied watch parties.

At Whiskey Tavern in Manhattan, manager Alex told the BBC that the bar has been packed on game nights – with both teams’ fans watching together.

“It’s fun, it’s good energy,” Alex said. “Everybody’s here just having a good time and celebrating either team. It is definitely heavily mixed.”

She said she hasn’t seen any clashes or tension between the groups – and she’s even seen Knicks fans reserve seats for Spurs fans.

“It’s all just people here together, she said.

Bartender Markie insists that the sports bar where she works is a safe space for anyone to watch the game. But with a laugh, she also acknowledges that she hasn’t seen “a single Spurs fan” on game nights at the bar, which has a capacity of around 250-300 people.

Doris, a Brooklyn cocktail bar, also is striving for fan unity – sort of.

It began calling itself a “makeshift sports bar” when the series started, welcoming all fans “whatever that hometown may be” – but with a not-so-thinly-veiled favorite.

Its Instagram page features pictures of Texas’ Lone Star beer, a mention of a Spurs legend Manu Ginobili jersey on display since 2013, and “go Spurs go” in all caps.

“Doris loves the Knicks, too! We just LOVE the SPURS more!” it says.

Before game three, Rizo walked around the city in a Spurs jersey, and kept hearing “you better be careful” or, “you’re really bold for walking around like that”.

“I didn’t really think anything of it,” Rizo said. But when he saw on social media the harassment and violence against Spurs fans, as a New York transplant for a decade, he said it made him sad.

He is hoping for a Spurs win, but as both a New Yorker and a Texan, he’s excited no matter what, he told the BBC.

“Either way, I win,” he said, laughing.