By Edmond Ortiz
The San Antonio Spurs will play the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning June 3, and Spurs fans will have several chances to gather and view the Spurs as the team seeks out its sixth NBA title.
This year’s championship series is a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, where the Spurs won their first NBA crown in five games.
The Spurs advanced to their first NBA Finals since 2014 after beating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-3, in the Western Conference Finals.
Here’s a look at public Spurs celebrations and giveaways happening around the San Antonio area:
*The Spurs, H-E-B and Ledger are hosting a community pep rally June 2 at the McCombs Community Court at Hemisfair, Tower Park, 801 Cesar Chavez Blvd., starting at 7 p.m. The first 700 fans will receive a free Taco Palenque taco. There will be special appearances and other giveaways.
*The Spurs are holding an official watch party for all finals games at The Rock at La Cantera. Frost Bank Center will host free watch parties for all away games. RSVPs are encouraged but do not guarantee admission.
Space is limited, and entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Text PLAYOFFS to 210-444-5940 for event details.’
*Hemisfair will host watch parties at Civic Park, 210 S. Alamo St. for each championship series game. Entry starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Guests may bring a blanket and one empty or completely sealed water bottle.
*The city of San Antonio, Centro San Antonio and Downtown West SA will host free watch parties at Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St., during every finals game. Entry begins at 6:30 p.m. Food and drink vendors will be on site.
*Free watch parties will be held outside the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts during each finals game. Guests can sit on the Will Naylor River Walk Plaza and watch the action on the 32-foot LED video wall along the River Walk. Attendees may bring a blanket or lawn chair. Concessions will be available for purchase. Entry begins at 6 p.m.
*Free watch parties are planned at Pearl Park for each finals match. Visitors may bring their blanket or lawn chair to enjoy watching the game on the outdoor screen. The event is dog friendly, and guests may purchase refreshments from the nearby Pearl Bottling Department food hall.
*A free watch party for Game 1 will be held at the St. Helena Catholic Church Dolan Center, 14714 Edgemont St. Free hot dogs will be available while supplies last. It is an outdoor event, so visitors are asked to bring their own chair.
*Roca & Martillo at The Rock at La Cantera is hosting ticketed watch parties for Game 1 and Game 2 on June 3 and 5, with two seating options and a chef-driven game-day buffet included with both. The buffet includes a tortilla chip bar with queso, guacamole and pico de gallo; buffalo and dill pickle parmesan wings; hand-battered chicken tenders and seasoned fries; campanelli bolognese; Two Bros BBQ chopped beef sliders with smoked gouda fondue; pulled pork sliders on Hawaiian rolls; and fresh-baked cookies and brownies. A curated cocktail menu is available throughout the night.
Tickets are $25-$85 per person. Those making a reservation can choose to sit indoor or outside. The patio provides direct views of the plaza large screen. The restaurant’s Victory Lounge will be available with premium lounge seating for group parties. Tickets are $250 per party.
*Participating Pluckers restaurant locations are streaming all finals games. Fans wearing Spurs gear on game day, home or away, can receive five free wings with the purchase of an adult entrée.
*Fans are encouraged to look out for an official Spurs playoff mark stenciled at five designated Spurs Spot It locations across the San Antonio area or Austin to earn Spurs Rewards.
Fans must download the Spurs App and sign up for Spurs Fan Club Spurs Rewards before visiting the locations to enable point collection.
Giveaways that have proven popular during the Spurs’ playoff run will continue through the finals. After a Spurs win, fans can get:
*A free coffee between 8 and 10 a.m. at Eightball Coffee, 1432 S. St. Mary’s St., and between 6 and 9 a.m. at Fischer’s Neighborhood Market locations; and between 8 and 10 a.m. at Mural Roasters, 1333 Buena Vista St.;
*A free bean and cheese taco or potato and egg breakfast taco between 6 and 9 a.m. at Taco Palenque by using the promo code SPURSWIN in their app or mentioning it at the register.
Additionally, San Antonio Animal Care Services, 4710 Texas 151, and Animal Defense League, 11300 Nacogdoches Road, offer zero-fee adoptions on all available pets the day after a Spurs postseason win.
