Fan in Jalen Brunson incident can't sit courtside for rest of NBA Finals
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates after the 105-95 victory in Game One of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Credit: Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO — The NBA said the fan involved in an incident with Knicks star Jalen Brunson during Wednesday night’s Game 1 will not be allowed to sit in courtside seats for the remainder of the NBA Finals.
A source said on Thursday that the league would investigate what happened late in the game at Frost Bank Center.
“The fan was not a season-ticket holder, and if he were to attend another game in this series, he would not be permitted to sit in courtside seats,” a league spokesperson said on Friday.
The incident took place as the Knicks were putting the finishing touches on a 105-95 win over the Spurs. Brunson approached referee Scott Foster while OG Anunoby was shooting free throws with 29.4 seconds left in the game and appeared to ask for him to take some action, pointing out the fan who was shouting at him. Brunson had a second heated discussion with Foster after the final buzzer, pointing to the area where the fan was seated.
Chris Haynes of “NBA on Prime” and NBATV reported that the fan allegedly heckled Brunson and used profane language directed at the guard’s perceived flopping.
Brunson would not address the incident during Thursday’s media access.
“I’m all good about talking about that,” he said.
Brunson scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 as the Knicks won their 12th straight playoff game. Their 105-104 victory in Game 2 on Friday made it 13 straight wins and gave them a 2-0 series lead heading back to New York.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
