An Indiana Pacers fan, Jarrett Funke, faces three felony charges for allegedly stabbing two New York Knicks fans at a local brewery during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The incident has intensified the long-standing rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, with Funke reportedly being the primary aggressor according to witness accounts.
Funke, a 2,4-year-old from Carmel, Indiana, has been charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, according to court records. The altercation reportedly began when Funke, who was at the brewery, got into a conflict with two Knicks fans, resulting in a 911 call. However, Funke left the establishment and returned later, where he allegedly stabbed one of the fans in the back.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found two individuals with stabbing wounds, with one victim having been struck in the back and another in the leg. One of the victims told authorities that he had briefly displayed a black folding pocket knife to deter Funke but repocketed it, indicating no intent to use it. The incident highlights the intense fan rivalries that often accompany high-stakes games, as tensions escalated from a verbal confrontation to a violent encounter.
Funke’s allegations claim that the Knicks fans started the altercation, but multiple witnesses have labeled him as the primary aggressor. The Pacers went on to win Game 2 of the series, maintaining their 2-0 lead, but the Knicks came back from a 20-point deficit to secure their first win of the series. The team’s resilience in the face of this incident underscores the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 4 set for Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential for violence in highly charged sports environments. While the Pacers’ lead in the series remains, the event has brought additional attention to the dynamics of fan behavior and the need for greater security measures in such settings. The legal proceedings against Funke will unfold as the NBA playoffs continue, with fans worldwide closely following the developments and the impact on both teams’ progress in the postseason.