Spurs fans blocked from Commerce Street after win
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Spurs fans honking near St. Mary's Street on Sunday. Photo: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios
Spurs fans hoping to flood Commerce Street on Sunday to celebrate the team's Game 4 win over the Portland Trail Blazers were diverted away because of Fiesta celebrations, authorities say.
Why it matters: The post-game honking tradition is a uniquely San Antonio expression of pride that dates back to the team's 1999 championship.
The latest: Though some fans who arrived early managed to cruise and honk along the traditional stretch, many others were redirected by police.
- "Commerce was temporarily blocked by SAPD vehicles for Fiesta-related pedestrian safety," SAPD spokesperson Camelia Juarez tells Axios San Antonio in a statement.
- Unable to gather in their usual spot, some fans spilled into surrounding neighborhoods that don't typically see the post-game celebrations, catching some residents off guard.
Between the lines: Fiesta — the 11-day citywide celebration that draws massive crowds downtown — overlapped with the NBA playoffs, amplifying foot traffic and fan energy.
Yes, but: By Sunday, many of Fiesta's largest events had already wrapped. On Friday, when major gatherings like A Night in Old San Antonio were underway, honking activity did not appear to be disrupted.
What they're saying: Southtown bar owners Jody Bailey Newman and Aaron Peña voiced frustration on X, calling the move a "major fail" and "deeply wrong."
- "The city DESERVES to celebrate EVERY win the way we know how," Peña wrote.
What we're watching: SAPD did not respond to follow-up questions about whether Commerce Street will reopen for future celebrations — a question that may get answered soon enough with Game 5 happening Tuesday.
- Juarez adds that fans should "celebrate responsibly, always wear your seatbelt, follow all traffic laws, do not exit your vehicle on an active roadway, and do not sit on top of moving vehicles."