New York City’s long-awaited Knicks championship celebration turned chaotic Saturday night after massive crowds filled the streets following the team’s historic NBA title win. What began as a citywide celebration quickly shifted into unrest in parts of Manhattan, with police reporting arrests, injuries, damaged vehicles, and a shooting.
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in Game 5 to win their first NBA championship in more than 50 years. Even though the game was played in Texas, fans across New York poured out of bars, restaurants, and public viewing areas to celebrate the moment.
Midtown Manhattan became one of the biggest gathering spots, with crowds packing the streets near Times Square. Many fans were seen chanting, hugging, and celebrating a victory that generations of Knicks supporters had been waiting to see.
But as the night continued, police said some parts of the celebration became dangerous. Around 2 a.m., gunfire was reported near 42nd Street and Broadway, leaving a 17-year-old boy wounded in the foot.
Officials said the teenager survived and was taken to the hospital in an NYPD vehicle because heavy crowds made it difficult for emergency responders to reach the area quickly. Police later said three people of interest were taken into custody in connection with the shooting, and a firearm was recovered.
Authorities also reported serious damage involving several yellow school buses that had been used earlier as World Cup shuttle buses after a Brazil vs Morocco match. Police said five buses were either set on fire or damaged as crowds swarmed the vehicles.
Witnesses described scenes of people climbing onto buses, entering them, posing for photos, and damaging property as others filmed nearby. At least one bus was reportedly engulfed in flames, while police vehicles in Midtown also had windows smashed during the unrest.
The NYPD said the crowds became increasingly destructive, with reports of fireworks being set off in packed areas, fights breaking out, and some people refusing orders to disperse. At least ten officers were injured, including officers struck during the chaos.
Police said 63 people were arrested on charges including assault on officers, weapons possession, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The arrests marked a sharp contrast to the joy many fans had hoped would define the night.
Knicks owner James Dolan had earlier urged fans to celebrate safely after the victory, but the warning did not stop parts of the celebration from spiraling out of control. City officials said an official championship parade and ceremony will still be held later in the week, as New York tries to turn the focus back to the Knicks’ historic title.
