Spike Lee Ripped For 'Obnoxious' Behavior During Game 3 of NBA Finals

Spike Lee was not a happy man during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Monday evening.

The Knicks fell to the Spurs at Madison Square Garden. New York still leads San Antonio, 2-1. However, if the Spurs can tie things up on Wednesday night, they'll be in really good shape heading back home.

Lee, the iconic American director who has sat courtside at nearly every Knicks game for years, was furious with the officiating during Game 3. He felt that the Spurs got away with a lot of contact and a lot of fouls. At one point, he got up out of his seat and started screaming at the refs during the middle of a play.

Should that be allowed?

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was among those who ripped Lee.

"So Spike Lee is allowed to throw temper tantrums at mid court, harass the refs and make a foul call? Good to know," he wrote.

It is pretty rare to see a fan getting away with that kind of behavior on the sideline in the middle of a game.

NBA fans react to Spike Lee's 'obnoxious' behavior in Game 3

NBA fans didn't love it.

"Spike Lee wasn't the only one doing this either. There was at least one guy sitting behind the basket who walked out to the baseline at one point as well. Celebrity privilege I guess," one fan wrote.

"I would have been ejected," one fan added.

"So obnoxious," one fan added.

"Spike's been courtside longer than some of these Knicks players and still gets to play ref. The league really does have different rules for celebs," one fan added.

Should Spike Lee have been able to get away with that kind of behavior on Monday evening at The Garden?

Game 4 is set for Wednesday night.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:50 AM.