As the New York Knicks head to the NBA finals for the first time since 1999, Elmo posted “Elmo hopes both teams have fun!”—and New Yorkers pushed back hard, turning the joke into a full-blown city pride showdown across X, with even the NYC Department of Transp
When New York City geared up for Game 1 of the NBA finals on June 3, the subway entrance by Madison Square Garden was painted orange and blue—an unmistakable signal that the Knicks were back on the biggest stage since 1999.
Then Elmo, of all people, chimed in.
“Elmo hopes both teams have fun!” he posted to his official X account. For many Knicks fans, it sounded less like harmless sportsmanship and more like betrayal—coming from a character they associate with being “from the Bronx.”
Within hours, the responses came fast and personal. One X user replied: “Both teams? Elmo why you acting like you ain’t from the Bronx.” The official Knicks Wall account struck back with a sharper line: “PICK A SIDE COWARD.”
Even Wendy’s, a brand account known for irreverent social posts, jumped into the conversation—telling Elmo “NOT NOW.”
And ahead of Game 2 on Friday, the city itself got pulled into the mess. The official Department of Transportation posted: “don’t make us take this down, bro,” attaching a photo of the inauguration of Sesame Street plate in uptown Manhattan.
don’t make us take this down, bro pic.twitter.com/Wgsx4UslqV— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) June 5, 2026
Not everyone kept it polite. Some comments went much further, including one user who wrote: “No Elmo let’s go fucking knicks you’re from fucking New York.”
The timing—right in the middle of finals energy—left little room for neutrality. Knicks fans weren’t just reacting to a tweet. They were reacting to a vibe that didn’t match the moment.
Elmo’s account has been here before. In 2024, the character posted: “Elmo is just checking in!. How is everybody doing?” That message triggered more than 18. 000 replies. with users sharing emotions—often in ways that spilled into trauma dumping. turning the account into what many treated like a national therapy session.
Now the same character is back in the spotlight with a slightly different script. On June 4, Elmo posted: “KNICKS that last message! Elmo didn’t mean to SPUR you on!,” a nod to both the New York team and the San Antonio Spurs.
Some users want the fight to cool off. One X user wrote: “everyone needs to stop being mean to elmo he knows the knicks are gonna win.”
For now, the message is clear: during the Knicks’ finals run, New Yorkers may tolerate a lot—but not a “both teams” attitude when the city is picking its side.
Elmo Sesame Street Knicks NBA Finals Madison Square Garden X Wendy’s NYC DOT sportsmanship Bronx social media
Wait so Elmo got mad at both teams or something? I’m confused, I thought it was just a kids character lol.
This is why I hate social media sometimes. One little “hope you have fun” and suddenly it’s like a whole Bronx vs whatever thing. Also why is NYC DOT talking like that??
Nah Elmo definitely chose a side by saying both teams, like that’s not how you do it when the Knicks are finally back. If he’s “from the Bronx” then why you acting neutral. PICK A SIDE COWARD is honestly the most Knicks thing I’ve seen all year.
I saw the subway orange and blue thing and thought it was gonna be all wholesome, then Elmo comments start turning into drama again. People are acting like a tweet is a personal betrayal… but also Elmo posted that thing before (like “checking in”) and now everybody treats him like therapy?? That’s wild. I don’t even watch NBA that much but apparently the city can’t relax during finals. Don’t make us take it down bro sounds like my cousin texting me.