The Knicks’ championship parade was meant to be a day of pure celebration, but one chant directed at Victor Wembanyama quickly divided opinion online.
New York’s title parade took place on June 18, with the team and fans moving through Lower Manhattan and the famous Canyon of Heroes. The city was out in force, marking the end of a 53-year wait since the Knicks’ last NBA title in 1973.
But footage from the parade showed some fans directing their attention toward Wembanyama, and not everyone saw it as harmless banter.
Knicks fans criticized for Victor Wembanyama chant during parade
Danny B on X posted from Knicks parade day as the celebration took over Lower Manhattan early in the morning.
Social media was quick to react after video emerged of Knicks fans chanting an explicit anti-Wembanyama message. One clip even showed a group mocking a doll meant to represent the Spurs star.
While some brushed it off as typical parade behavior, one reaction read: “Uncalled for but appropriate,” one fan wrote.
Others were less impressed. Another reply simply said: “Classy.”
A third fan questioned why Wembanyama remained such a focus, writing: “Knicks won a championship but Wemby is all we keep hearing? He’s the new Knicks Daddy.”
Others did not hold back: “Classless as always, Knicks fans.”
Another reaction summed up the discomfort around the clip: “How is this fun at all.”
Wembanyama rivalry follows Knicks into title celebration
The Knicks had just beaten San Antonio 4-1 in the NBA Finals, clinching the title with a 94-90 Game 5 win behind Jalen Brunson’s 45-point, Finals MVP performance.
That result, and lingering tension from the series, gave fans plenty of reason to focus on Wembanyama. The rivalry had another layer after some criticized Wembanyama and the Spurs for leaving the court without post-series handshakes, a moment even Draymond Green called out.
Despite the controversy, the parade itself was a classic New York celebration, with players, celebrities and fans packing the route to City Hall.
But the spotlight on the Wembanyama chant added to a growing narrative around Knicks fans. Dave Portnoy had already called out the fan base after the title win, saying the team was likable but the supporters less so.
The Knicks had every right to enjoy their moment. The question is whether bringing Wembanyama into it made the celebration sharper, or just smaller.
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