An awkward moment between filmmaker Spike Lee and Prince Harry stole the spotlight at Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday, as the Duke of Sussex's attempt at a friendly handshake was met with a pointed rejection by the legendary director.
The exchange, captured in exclusive video obtained by Page Six, took place courtside at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, where the New York Knicks faced off against the Spurs in what would become a historic championship-clinching game for the Knicks.
Lee, 69, was seated in the stands when Prince Harry, 41, approached and hugged another spectator. As the Duke turned to walk away, Lee called out to him, prompting Harry to double back and extend his hand in greeting. Rather than accept the handshake, Lee pointed a finger at the retired royal while denying the gesture, leaving Harry to awkwardly place his hand on the filmmaker's stomach instead.
The pair did eventually shake hands while continuing their brief exchange. As Harry departed, Lee gestured to himself as if to ask, "Who, me?" — with Harry responding with an affirmative point before walking off.
Representatives for both Lee and Prince Harry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the interaction, which has quickly become a talking point among NBA fans and royal watchers alike.
The tense moment between the two public figures is not without precedent. Lee has long held a grudge against the Duke over a 2019 incident in which Prince Harry reportedly blocked Lee on Twitter after the director criticized the royal family's use of private jets. Lee previously claimed that he asked Prince William to "find out why" his brother had blocked him, and during a subsequent appearance on the "Today" show, Lee told viewers, "I asked his brother to find out! When I know, you'll know!"
The awkward exchange comes amid a massive celebrity turnout for the NBA Finals, with the Knicks ultimately ending a 53-year championship drought in front of a star-studded crowd that included Timothée Chalamet, Sydney Sweeney, Scooter Braun, and numerous other A-listers.
While the Knicks' historic victory dominated sports headlines, the Lee-Harry interaction offered a lighter, more personal subplot — blending royal drama with the high-stakes energy of professional basketball. Prince Harry, who has lived in California since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, has increasingly been seen at major sporting events. His presence at the NBA Finals underscores his ongoing integration into American celebrity culture.
Spike Lee, a lifelong Knicks superfan and season ticket holder, is a fixture at the team's biggest games. The "Do the Right Thing" director has been courtside for decades and is known for his passionate reactions. His pointed gesture toward the Duke suggests that old grievances remain unsettled, at least in the stands.
The NBA Finals offered no shortage of drama, but for those watching closely, the brief handshake denial between one of Hollywood's most iconic directors and a member of the British royal family was an unforgettable sidelight to the Knicks' long-awaited triumph.
