Nets, buses and police cars damaged as Knicks title celebrations turn chaotic in Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan descended into chaos on Sunday morning as thousands of fans celebrated the New York Knicks’ NBA championship, their third title and first since 1973. Video from the celebrations showed fans breaking into buses, vandalizing them, and setting at least one on fire, while others climbed onto a police vehicle, traffic lights and scaffolding. Police struggled to regain control as the crowds spilled through the area.

The celebrations began after the Knicks beat San Antonio 94-90 in Game 5 of the Finals to clinch the series 4-1. Fans poured out of bars and crowded outdoor viewing areas, firing fireworks and smoke grenades and chanting, “Knicks in five!” Some of the most intense scenes centered on Times Square, where a group of about 15 buses had been parked to shuttle World Cup fans from the Brazil-Morocco match in nearby New Jersey.

One yellow city bus was torched and at least three more were badly damaged, according to Reuters. People were seen standing on bus roofs, forcing their way inside, and beating the hood of one vehicle with objects including scooters and a stolen stop sign, while the crowd around them cheered. Reuters also reported that fans piled bicycles onto a bus roof, and Brazil supporters joined Knicks fans there waving a Brazilian flag. A bloodied man was seen running through the crowd.

At 2 a.m. local time, police said a 17-year-old was shot in the leg during the festivities in Times Square, and Reuters reported that three suspects were arrested in that incident. Officers initially blocked several streets, but only after about two hours did riot police move in, with mounted officers helping disperse the crowd near Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ home arena. It was not immediately clear how many other people were arrested. Knicks owner James Dolan urged fans to celebrate safely, saying, “We want everybody tonight to be safe in New York. Okay, celebrate, but be careful.”