Jalen Brunson; Elmo; Victor Wembanyama
Jalen Brunson, Elmo, Victor Wembanyama. Credit : Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty; Craig Barritt/Getty; SERGIO FLORES / AFP via Getty
Elmo got some pushback on X after making an NBA Finals post ahead of Game 1 on June 3
The Sesame Street character drew outrage from Knicks fans, who couldn't believe the puppet didn't endorse his home team
Players from both the Knicks and the Spurs— but none on the current roster— have appeared on the kids' program before
Elmo may love many things, but the beloved New York City-based puppet is drawing ire from Knicks fans for both sides-ing the NBA Finals.
In a post on X, the Sesame Street character wished the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs well just before tip on Wednesday, June 3.
“Elmo hopes both teams have fun!,” he wrote, seemingly from New York, about the matchup.
The post, liked by 8 million users, drew thousands of comments, mostly from furious Knicks fans who couldn’t believe that the furry red Muppet didn’t fully endorse his hometown team for its away game.
“Elmo, you’re from the city. Pick a side man,” wrote one user.
“Elmo, I don't think you understand what is at stake here,” wrote another.
Many of the commenters used colorful language not suitable for the PBS show, while others theorized about Elmo’s lack of a backbone and shared different anatomical words to describe their feelings.
Despite Elmo’s post, the Knicks went on to steal a game in San Antonio even though they trailed for most of it and were down by as many as 14 points in the second half.
Led by Jalen Brunson’s 30 points and a strong defensive effort from Josh Hart, the team nullified Victor Wembanyama’s 26-and-12 effort in front of a crowd that featured a vocal Knicks contingent.
While no current Knicks or Spurs players have appeared on Sesame Street, former Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire made a memorable appearance on the show in 2011. And Hall of Fame Spurs center David Robinson checked in during for a skit with Count (von Count) in the mid-1990s.
Luke Kornet; The Count Sesame StreetLuke Kornet; The Count Sesame Street
Luke Kornet, the Count. Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty; Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
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The Spurs, meanwhile, have shown their love for the program this season. On February 1 in a game against the Orlando Magic, the team hosted a “Spurs on Sesame Street”-themed game.
In anticipation of the promotion, a couple of Spurs players shared on social media who their favorite Sesame Street characters were.
Backup center Luke Kornet gave a shoutout to the Count, while NBA Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson called out his love of chocolate chip cookies and Cookie Monster.