The New York Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals berth in 27 years on Monday, prompting raucous celebrations from their loyal fan base. Within minutes of the final buzzer, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a longtime Knicks supporter, poured his emotions out in a now-viral video.
However, many New York fans weren’t interested in hearing from Smith, instead questioning whether the 58-year-old deserves to be associated with the team’s historic run.
Knicks Fans Push Back on Stephen A. Smith Celebrating NBA Finals Run
Shortly after the Knicks finished off the Cleveland Cavaliers, Smith filmed himself in pure jubilee, shouting “Finally, finally. 27 years!” and “We going to the Finals!” before launching into a “Go New York, Go New York!” chant.
We Going to the Finals! We going to the Finals!!! pic.twitter.com/S1zleqq7tk
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 26, 2026
While the outspoken analyst waited nearly three decades for the moment, he was met with sharp pushback from New York’s fan base on X.
Rather than celebrate alongside him, a large chunk of the Knicks faithful seized an opportunity to remind Smith of his uneven support of the franchise.
One X user set the tone by sharing a comedy skit mocking Smith’s ownership of New York’s run, captioning the post with a single pointed word, “We.”
“We” pic.twitter.com/0XCP66YonC https://t.co/cBxNAj78n7
— Kenny (@Kennyduhballern) May 26, 2026
Another kept it blunt, writing, “Fair weather fan FOH!!!”
Fair weather fan FOH!!! https://t.co/IfQl3LaaAW
— Cole (@_nml831) May 26, 2026
One observer, who made it clear he doesn’t even root for New York, piled on by writing, “I’m not even a Knicks fan, and I know they don’t claim you.”
I’m not even a Knicks fan and I know they don’t claim you. https://t.co/aEiLyldTIT
— Rodimus Prime 🇹🇹 (@Rodimus_Prime83) May 26, 2026
Another simply urged Smith to “sit this one out.”
Sit this one out pal. https://t.co/efkh6zu9uc
— Hana 🧡 (@HanaHoops) May 26, 2026
Perhaps the most damning response came from a user who dug up old footage of Smith burying the team. In the resurfaced clip, Smith insisted the Knicks “ain’t going to no damn Finals ’cause they ain’t good enough” following a regular-season loss to the Detroit Pistons. The tweet’s caption simply read, “Nah, stay on that side, man.”
Nah stay on that side man pic.twitter.com/E7Uc1hNkZU
— OwnedByHart (@OwnedByHart) May 26, 2026
Despite fans raining on Smith’s parade, the destruction that New York caused in Cleveland was overwhelming. The Knicks routed the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 to complete a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.
Their run has entered the record books, as the Knicks have now won 11 consecutive playoff games, with a plus-262 point differential over that stretch. That stands as the largest in NBA history across any 11-game span, regular season or postseason.
Jalen Brunson and Co. also became the first team ever to win three closeout games by 30 or more points in a single playoff run.
New York now awaits the winner of the Western Conference finals, with the San Antonio Spurs and reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder currently tied 2-2.
The 2026 NBA Finals tip off on June 3.
