New York City erupted in celebration after the Knicks won their first NBA championship in over five decades. Immediately following the win, fans flooded the streets to rejoice, with some altercations ending in property destruction and injuries.
Five school buses were set on fire or destroyed near Manhattan on early Sunday morning (June 14) near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, according to ABC News.
The news station also reported that a 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot during the celebrations and taken to a hospital by New York Police Department officers because emergency vehicles could not reach him through the crowds.
Police said they recovered a firearm at the scene and took three people of interest into custody. No charges have been announced.
ABC News additionally reported four “slashings.” Videos shared online showed widespread disorder as crowds climbed vehicles, scaffolding, and light poles, while fireworks went off and fights broke out.
Outlets including NBC News reported damaged police vehicles and crowds blocking streets for hours, as celebrations stretched deep into the night.
The NYPD told Fox 5 New York that it made 63 arrests, while Pix 11 reported that 10 officers were injured during the night, including one who was punched in the face and another who was allegedly “struck with a glass bottle.”
Knicks owner James Dolan also urged Knicks fans to show restraint during Josh Hart’s post-win press conference.
"We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they're celebrating, we want them to have a great time," Dolan said, as seen in the video above. "Please be safe. Don't get hurt, don't hurt anybody ... We want everybody tonight in New York [to] be safe."
Knicks’ win draws celebrity responses
Jennifer Lopez reacted on her social media with a video of herself celebrating from home.
"Congratulations to the New York Knickerbockers, NBA Champions!!!!!” she captioned the post. “I remember the last time the Knicks were making a run for the championship and rushing home every game day from the set to watch Ewing, Starks and Oakley make a hell of a run. We have all been waiting patiently for this day for years. Thank you for uniting our city again…for uniting the world.”
Cardi B also joined the celebrations, going live on Instagram and jumping out of bed as the win became official. She shouted, "the streets is calling me” and was later being seen partying at a club alongside Travis Scott and Quavo.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans for a ticker-tape parade and City Hall ceremony honoring the team.
“The team is going to be presented [with] keys to the city on Thursday. It will be the first keys to the city that I've ever given out in our administration,” Mamdani told Complex. “This team—they epitomize so much of what we love about the city: the relentless, the drive, the hustle. You look at them and their individual journeys. So many of them were overlooked. So many of them were counted out, and they're here.”
He continued, “Mike Brown built a team where every single player had a role, not just in last night's game, but frankly throughout the series, throughout the season, and it's just a beautiful thing to witness.”
