Quick summary: Digital sentiment analysis has revealed stark behavioural variations among basketball supporters, with Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks fans emerging as the most explicit online communities by exceeding the league profanity average by over 30%. This surge in aggressive communication coincides with intense competitive periods like the 2026 NBA Finals, where high stakes matches amplify online vitriol and have occasionally translated into physical altercations. These findings carry significant implications for public policy and mental well-being, highlighting an urgent requirement for social media platforms and sports organizations to co-develop digital moderation frameworks that protect fan well-being and curb toxic digital habits without suppressing community passion.
New research has highlighted stark differences in online behaviour among NBA fanbases, with supporters of the New York Knicks emerging as the second most foul-mouthed.
The study, conducted by Chicks Gold, analysed the 200 most popular posts and subsequent comments from each NBA team’s subreddit to determine how often fans use 35 different profanities.
Fans of the Knicks used 11.06 profanities per 100 Reddit contributions, a figure 31% higher than the NBA team average of 8.42. The most common swear words used by Knicks supporters were “fk”, “sht”, and “f**g”.
Supporters of the Philadelphia 76ers were found to be the most explicit, with 11.53 profanities per 100 Reddit contributions, 37% higher than the league average.
In 3rd place were fans of the Milwaukee Bucks, with 10.80 profanities per 100 Reddit contributions, 28% higher than the average across all NBA teams.
Top 10 most foul mouthed fanbases
- Philadelphia 76ers (r/sixers): 11.53
- New York Knicks (r/NYKnicks): 11.06
- Milwaukee Bucks (r/MkeBucks): 10.80
- Los Angeles Lakers (r/lakers): 10.40
- Miami Heat (r/heat): 10.35
- Minnesota Timberwolves (r/timberwolves): 10.31
- Indiana Pacers (r/pacers): 10.24
- Phoenix Suns (r/suns): 10.24
- Boston Celtics (r/bostonceltics): 9.80
- Dallas Mavericks (r/Mavericks): 9.73
At the other end of the scale, Jazz fans were the least foul mouthed, at just 5.43 profanities per 100 Reddit contributions, 36% below the average. Hornets fans had the 2nd lowest number of profanities with only 5.81 per 100 Reddit contributions, 31% lower than the average. Spurs supporters are the 3rd most mild mannered at 5.91 profanities per 100 Reddit contributions, 30% below the average.
Top 10 least foul mouthed fanbases
- Utah Jazz (r/UtahJazz): 5.43
- Charlotte Hornets (r/CharlotteHornets): 5.81
- San Antonio Spurs (r/NBASpurs): 5.91
- Memphis Grizzlies (r/memphisgrizzlies): 6.49
- Washington Wizards (r/washingtonwizards): 6.60
- Cleveland Cavaliers (r/clevelandcavs): 6.88
- Oklahoma City Thunder (r/Thunder): 6.92
- Portland Trail Blazers (r/ripcity): 6.99
- Orlando Magic (r/OrlandoMagic): 7.20
- Brooklyn Nets (r/GoNets): 7.25
Finals context
The findings come as the Knicks secured a dramatic 107-106 victory in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. The win, which featured a record comeback from 29 points down, gives New York a 3-1 series lead and puts them one victory away from their first NBA title since 1973.
Speaking on the findings, Al Alof, CEO of Chicks Gold said: “The Knicks are now just one win away from winning their first NBA title in 53 years after their win at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. While the record breaking stats and celebrity attendance is making headlines, it’s the behavior of the Knicks fans, both good and bad that are also generating attention from the media.”
Mayor Mamdani has criticised some Knicks fans for attacking Spurs fans during the games held at Madison, with many social media pages such as the NBA subreddit seeing NBA fans call out Knicks fans behavior. This is understandably a huge moment in time for Knicks fans and New Yorkers in general, however, this study shows that Knicks fans are one of the most foul mouthed fanbases online and if the Knicks do go on to make history, we can expect a lot more expletives both on the streets of New York and in the subreddits.
The contrast between passionate Knicks support online and the notably milder language from Spurs fans underscores how fanbases express intensity differently during high stakes playoff series. With Game 5 approaching, interest in both the on court drama and off court fan behaviour is expected to intensify.