Spurs fans with flags hang out their car windows while honking down East Commerce Street last week. Credit: X / SpursNation_SA

Spurs fans in the Southtown neighborhood got an unwelcome surprise after the team’s stunning 114-93 win over the Portland Trailblazers Sunday.

Police blocked off access to East Commerce Street, preventing some from going honking down the thoroughfare — a popular way for local hoops fans to celebrate championship wins.

“I don’t give a shit if it’s the day after the night parade, blocking SA residents from accessing and honking on Commerce feels deeply wrong during the last day of Fiesta — the city DESERVES to celebrate EVERY win the way we know how,” Aaron Peña, who owns the unofficial “Spurs HQ” Bar Gimme Gimme, tweeted about the closure.

And there was plenty of cause for celebration Sunday. The Spurs came back from a 19-point deficit in the second half to take a 3-1 lead over the Trail Blazers. The effort was led by Victor Wembanyama, who had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks.

Wembanyama’s performance helped the Silver and Black outscore Portland 73-35 in the second  half — the second-largest point differential in a playoff half in NBA history.

Even so, SAPD put the brakes on downtown honking.

Friendly Spot owner Jody Bailey Newman tweeted that the police department also blocked off South St. Mary’s Street northbound following the win, preventing many from making onto commerce to celebrate.

“Wow, SAPD, let us honk,” Newman wrote. “In Southtown, cannot get to Commerce. Major fail. Go Spurs Go.”

In a statement, SAPD officials told the Current that East Commerce was blocked due to a high volume of pedestrians walking to Market Square on the final day of Fiesta.

“Due to there being many pedestrians crossing Commerce to get to Market Square yesterday for Fiesta, Officers blocked it off to avoid any issues,” Public Information Officer Emily Garvin said. “I can not confirm at this time if it will be blocked off for Tuesday’s game.”

San Antonio will have the chance to knock off the Trail Blazers and move on to the second round at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Frost Bank Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on YouTube TV.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...