© Brett Davis/Imagn
The New York Knicks entered the NBA playoffs with dreams of winning the franchise’s first championship in over half a century.
But three games into their opening round series with the Atlanta Hawks, the third-seeded Knicks are facing a 2-1 deficit and lost home-court advantage. And they may well have WWE superstar Danhausen to blame.
The wrestler, who only recently joined the company, placed a “curse” on the Knicks via ESPN star Stephen A. Smith, and now Smith says he refuses to pay up to have the curse lifted.
Danhause Cursed The New York Knicks During An Episode ESPN’s ‘First Take’
Prior to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas over the weekend, Danhausen appeared on an episode of ESPN First Take in order to promote the upcoming event.
During his appearance, he pointed out that Smith was a famed New York Knicks fan. But Smith wasn’t a fan of the character, calling him a “bad luck charm.”
Danhausen, however, didn’t appreciate the claim and hit Smith with one of his now-famous curses.
The curse is real @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/1c8gDHh5ez
— Bama Bama Bigelow (@WhatUpJT_) April 24, 2026
Now, some might say that they don’t believe in curses. Especially those coming from a pro wrestler who looks like he’s trying to cosplay as Nosferatu. But the proof is in the pudding with the Knicks.
Thankfully for Smith, Danhausen is benevolent and offered to lift the curse in exchange for a small fee. However, Smith refused the invitation.
I’m not apologizing for a damn thing @DanhausenAD. Not a damn thing. Curse or no curse, the @nyknicks have NO BUSINESS losing this series to the @ATLHawks — no matter how good that young team is. No business. If the @Knicks lose this series, heads need to roll. Period. President!… https://t.co/RX6frRTRAI
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 24, 2026
“I’m not apologizing for a d— thing @DanhausenAD,” he posted on X. “Not a d— thing. Curse or no curse, the @nyknicks have NO BUSINESS losing this series to the @ATLHawks — no matter how good that young team is. No business. If the @Knicks lose this series, heads need to roll. Period. President! GM! Coach! Players! Even the d— Dance Team!
“To hell with all that superstitious stuff. The @nyknicks need to handle their d— business. They had better not lose this series, d—it. I swear they better not!”
If the Knicks do go on to lose this series, at least now they’ll know who to blame, and it’ll be Smith, not Danhausen, who was responsible.