State Rep. James Talarico joined Spurs fans at an East Austin bar during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Talarico for Texas
The "Talarico Blessing" circulated across social media Monday night, after Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico of Austin was shown on video celebrating the Spurs' Game 3 win of the NBA Finals at Chalmers, an East Austin bar. "The Talarico blessing," Jared Shult, an Austin-based influencer backing Talarico's campaign, wrote on X. Shult was seated near Talarico, as the two men cheered on the San Antonio team. Videos of Talarico rising to his feet, clapping as the Spurs scored, and greeting supporters swirled across social media. Democratic Wins Media, an X account, compared Talarico's appearance to that of President Donald Trump at the Madison Square Garden home game. "As Donald Trump was being booed in New York, James Talarico was out at the bars in Texas having an amazing time with Spurs fans and supporters," the X account wrote. "This is the difference between Trump and Democrats like Talarico. People actually like us." The Associated Press reported that Trump was booed when he appeared on the arena’s video screens during the national anthem. Shult reshared the post, writing, "Can confirm everyone liked him last night." "Go, Spurs, go!" Talarico told the Statesman. Despite plenty of Spurs fans delighting in Talarico's joining the revelry, others critical of the Democratic Austin-area state representative's sports bar visit insisted online that it must have been his "first basketball game and beer." The Spurs cashed in with an 115-111 victory Monday night that cut the Knicks' series lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. They have the opportunity to tie the series Wednesday night and are guaranteed another home game with Game 5 returning the two teams to San Antonio on Saturday.