The San Antonio Spurs sparked controversy after losing the NBA Finals on Saturday, as most players left the court without shaking the hands of the New York Knicks.
Victor Wembanyama headed straight to the locker room after missing a last-ditch three-point attempt, and several Spurs players followed suit.
NBA World Reacts to San Antonio Spurs Players’ Handshake Snub
As several Spurs players headed straight to the locker room without giving congratulatory handshakes to the triumphant Knicks, they attracted plenty of criticism from the NBA world.
A Knicks fan account led the criticism of Wembanyama, who has been the subject of derogatory taunts and jeers from New Yorkers throughout the NBA Finals. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year also had an egg thrown at him by a Knicks fan after Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
“They tried to convince everyone that this 7’4″ baby was some saint because he posted photos with monks,” they wrote on X.
They tried to convince everyone that this 7’4″ baby was some saint because he posted photos with monks https://t.co/jnMzTjFQwV
— Knicks Union 🗽 (@knicks_union) June 14, 2026
Another user labeled the Spurs’ roster ‘classless’ and called them out for not congratulating the Knicks players on their triumph.
“What a bunch of absolute b****es. That’s disgusting. I lost respect for their entire squad. Classless,” they wrote.
What a bunch of absolute b****es.
That’s disgusting. I lost respect for their entire squad.
Classless. https://t.co/nVYw7y733o
— Stef. | Creative Director 👨🏾💻🛠 (@STEFisDOPE) June 14, 2026
Another Knicks fan called out the Spurs players for not shaking hands with the Knicks after a fiery NBA Finals series.
“This is why I’m glad the Spurs lost. F*** em,” they wrote.
This is why im glad The Spurs lost. F*ck em. https://t.co/cgzRqXMx8o
— Vada Fly (@Vada_Fly) June 14, 2026
More social media users called out the Spurs’ roster for being sore losers and for failing to congratulate the Knicks on winning the NBA title. “Bunch of f***ing babies,” one user wrote.
“Sore losers. But I forgot, by their math and logic, they are the better team and won,” another Knicks fan wrote.
Sore losers. But I forgot, by their math and logic, they are the better team and won.
— Positively Knicks (@PositiveKnicks) June 14, 2026
The Knicks continued their incredible comeback streak in Game 5 as they overturned a double-digit deficit once again to dismantle the Spurs 94-90 in a low-scoring thriller. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, scoring 45 points, including 13 straight in the fourth quarter.
For the Spurs, it was a case of so close, yet so far in the NBA Finals. They held a 29-point lead in Game 4 and appeared set to level the series going into Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center. However, their youthful roster let slip opportunities time and again, and the Knicks made the most of it to clinch a first NBA title since 1973.
