‘Anti-Trump Base’: Fan reacts as Reports of Street Fights Emerge Across NYC After Knicks Game Amid Heavy Security Presence
After waiting 27 years for the opportunity, the game on June 8 was not only another NBA Finals game hosted by New York but certainly one that went well beyond the realm of the game.
With the New York Knicks’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 115-111, the night in New York was not only disappointing for the team and its faithful fanbase who dreams of lifting a title but one that went beyond the bounds of what many expected.
Knicks’ Homecoming in NBA Finals Ends In Chaos in NYC
The night at Madison Square Garden got off to a rocky start before the game ever began. The presence of Donald Trump in the crowd made this more than an ordinary night for the Knicks, with numerous checkpoints set up in preparation for his arrival, and even a change in the pre-game outdoor festivities. As a result of these preparations, there was no watch party outside the Garden, instead being relocated to the neighborhood around
Hmmm! This is the anti-Trump base. Figures!
— Chris B (@WXvet20_20) June 9, 2026
This topic soon became a very hot one in the community even before the game kicked off. There was widespread disappointment from the followers online, especially when they got to know that there would be severe limitations on the traditional Midtown ambiance surrounding MSG. Frustration levels were amplified when thousands showed up at places like Bryant Park and other watch parties to watch the game.
The moment the game began, there was also politics involved in the event. Trump received loud boos from large segments of the crowd when he appeared on the jumbotron as part of the pre-game activities. This was the case all through the night even in watch parties across Manhattan.
But then there was the actual basketball game that left the Knicks disappointed. They saw themselves losing their streak of victories after the Spurs defeated them and trimmed their Finals advantage to 2-1 in the process.
In fact, a user said:
“Hmmm! This is the anti-Trump base. Figures! “
Another user said:
“This is a normal event after a knicks game tf “
A different user wrote:
“This is what happens when Trump comes to town. Keep him away from NYC. “
Another user added:
“Almost like people don’t care about laws… “
Another stated:
“These are the people who say Trump’s a bad person? “
The mood outside changed fast. When a lot of people came out of Bryant Park and went onto the streets nearby many fights started on 42nd Street. You can see videos online of groups fighting in the road and some people even got on top of cars blocked the traffic and stood around fights that got worse really quickly.
The New York City Police Department said some people threw things at the police officers and some people damaged things in the area. There is one video that a lot of people saw. It looks like someone is swinging a bus stop sign that they pulled out of the ground when everything was crazy.
The police went in to take control again when things got worse. The police used pepper spray when they had to. They sent more officers to the area because people just kept coming into the streets. By the end of the night the New York City Police Department said they took 21 people into custody. Eight of them are in trouble and could go to court for things like hitting someone with a weapon, not listening to the police and hitting a police officer. The people in charge also said five police officers got hurt during all the craziness.
The Knicks are playing Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on June 11. The city is already saying they will have a lot of security. What was supposed to be a happy time for the Knicks coming home to Madison Square Garden for the NBA Finals is now remembered for something really crazy. The Knicks and the NBA Finals are what people are talking about. Now it is all about the fights and the police. The Knicks are still a part of it but the NBA Finals are not as happy as they were supposed to be.
