Thousands of New York Knicks fans flooded the streets of New York City to celebrate the team's first NBA Finals victory since 1973, but celebrations turned chaotic.
Chaos Erupts in New York City
Rowdy Knicks supporters caused chaos on the streets of New York City as people ran from gunshots, buses were set on fire, and a police car was attacked. Footage on social media captured a man attacking a yellow school bus with what appeared to be a scooter.
The individual, still unidentified, was seen battering the bus with the scooter just hours after the New York Knicks secured the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. It was bedlam on Broadway as the Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years.
Outside Madison Square Garden, a crowd watching on a big screen roared as the Knicks rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Spurs in San Antonio. Scenes of celebration quickly turned ugly, with gunshots fired and clashes with police causing damage.
Gunshots and Vandalism
Around 2 a.m., gunshots were fired near 42nd Street and Broadway, police said. Bystander video captured the sound of at least seven shots, showing people crouching and running for cover. Preliminary reports indicated no one was injured.
In footage shared on X, a man was seen pounding the front of a school bus while the excited crowd egged him on. Fellow Knicks supporters later surrounded the man as NYPD officers arrived. The video did not clarify if the individual was detained, as footage switched to another person grabbing the scooter to continue the assault.
It remains unclear why the group targeted the school bus, given that several Knicks fans were positioned on top of it. The situation escalated when multiple people ignited flares atop the vehicle.
Flares and Fires
In footage posted to X, the group with flares caused no harm but danced and marked the team's triumph. "Nothing says 'we'll fight for the playoffs' like a fireworks show on a school bus, hope the Knicks bring the same spark to the court," one person remarked. Another suggested matters were spiraling out of control: "These scenes in Times Square are getting out of hand. Climbing on a school bus and setting off flares in a crowded area isn't a celebration—it's dangerous and reckless. NYPD needs to shut this down before someone gets seriously hurt."
Soon after, rowdy fans clashed with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles, and statues, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square, and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck. Later, one bus was engulfed in flames.
Police Car Vandalized
An NYPD patrol car was vandalized after crowds assembled near Madison Square Garden. Video clips showed several individuals clambering onto and leaping on top of an unoccupied marked police car, smashing or severely damaging its windscreen as vast crowds packed the streets. No immediate details were available concerning injuries, detentions, or the scale of damage.
The NYPD confirmed multiple arrests but would not have a total until later on Sunday. Further footage showed officers confronting disorderly crowds, with one clip showing uniformed officers restraining a man while urging the mob to step back.
Crowds Celebrate Victory
Other footage showed crowds yelling and chanting as celebrants marked the Knicks' victory over the Spurs in Game 5. Revellers attempted to push closer to a police cordon. A third video showed officers rushing to form a barrier as the crowd became rowdy and people started leaping on cars.
The triumph for the Knicks is the first since 1973, prompting thousands of supporters to pour onto New York's streets. Clips showed fans scaling street poles, dancing on vehicles, and chanting "Let's Go Knicks" as crowds extended for blocks around Midtown. The festivities had been mounting for weeks as New York edged within reach of a championship many supporters had never witnessed.
