Austin Spurs enthusiasts are showing their unwavering support as the team strives for its first championship title in over a decade. The excitement was palpable during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where fans packed into Chalmers, a bar in East Austin, despite inclement weather. Dressed in silver-and-black jerseys and vibrant Fiesta colors, supporters gathered shoulder to shoulder, ready to cheer on their team against the New York Knicks.
General Manager Aaron Amtower noted that Chalmers has been a hub for Spurs fans throughout the season. The atmosphere reached new heights as the team exceeded expectations, prompting a partnership for official watch parties. “The crowd, I mean, you can hear it from blocks away,” Amtower remarked, highlighting the enthusiasm that has transformed the venue into a local gathering spot.
The Spurs’ connection to Austin runs deep, with a longstanding commitment to engaging local fans. Initiatives have included painting murals, renovating basketball courts, and organizing transportation for Austin supporters to games in San Antonio. As the team looks to capture the championship for the first time since 2014, fans in Austin are rallying behind them with fervor.
<p“It is crazy, the Austin level of support,” said Gabi Perlinger, who previously lived in San Antonio. She expressed her admiration for the turnout at Game 1, stating, “I feel like they're gonna have a huge turnout in Austin for each game of the finals, no matter what.”
A.J. Dimas, who attended the watch party with Perlinger, expressed his appreciation for the Spurs’ I-35 Series, where the team plays a select number of games at Moody Center in Austin. This initiative, which began in 2023, aims to engage the fan base that stretches from Mexico to Austin. “It really benefits working people,” Dimas said, noting the challenges teachers face in attending games. “For them to be here on a Friday night, we can get off of work, go get ready and then head down here.”
Dimas also pointed out that many of his students are fans of the Austin Spurs, the team’s G League affiliate. He mentioned that several players on the current roster have developed through the Austin team, further strengthening the connection between the two organizations. “Some of them actually get converted into being Spurs fans,” he added.
Chalmers is set to host the official Spurs watch party for Game 2 as well, indicating a continued commitment to fostering community spirit around the team. Despite a close loss in Game 1, with the Knicks pulling ahead in the final minutes to win 105-95, fans remain optimistic about the remainder of the series.
“[The Spurs] went this far this young. They deserve everything they’ve done so far. So I really hope they’re going to make it,” said Santos Jaimes, whose family has supported the Spurs for generations.
Jaimes also emphasized the bond between Austin and San Antonio, stating, “Whenever you meet like an Austin local, they’ll say, oh, I got family in San Antonio. You go to San Antonio? Oh, I got family in Austin. Both of us visit each other’s cities. I feel like we’re like family at this point.”
The Spurs and Knicks will clash again on Friday night in San Antonio. Chalmers is organizing watch parties for every home game in the finals, while its sister bar, Armadillo Den, will host parties for away games. Fans can find further details on the Austin Spurs’ social media channels.
