Celebrations Turn Chaotic in NYC After Knicks' Historic NBA Championship Win
Violence Erupts Following Knicks' Victory
New York City experienced a night of chaos after the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in over 50 years. Celebrations in Times Square quickly escalated into violence, as reported by local authorities. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that a shooting occurred shortly after 2:00 AM at the intersection of 43rd Street and Broadway. A 17-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to his left foot and was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Authorities have detained three individuals in connection with the shooting and recovered a firearm from the scene.
In a broader context, the NYPD reported that at least 63 arrests were made as the celebrations intensified following the Knicks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Charges against those arrested include assaulting a police officer, weapon possession, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. Additionally, ten police officers sustained injuries during the unrest, with one officer being struck by a glass bottle.
🚨 BREAKING: Rioters have begun setting the school buses ON FIRE in Times Square during the Knicks riotsPolice do not have NEARLY ENOUGH SUPPORTMamdani and Hochul have ABSOLUTELY FAILED NYPD and law abiding New Yorkers pic.twitter.com/yMtwfvhvFa
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
Footage shared online and reported by local news outlets revealed extensive damage across parts of Manhattan, including destruction of school buses and other vehicles. According to police and reports from local media, five school buses, which were designated for transporting World Cup soccer fans to MetLife Stadium, were either damaged, set ablaze, or completely destroyed during the riots. One bus was seen engulfed in flames after burning clothing was allegedly thrown inside, while others were vandalized and left severely damaged near the 42nd Street subway station. Videos captured individuals climbing atop buses, smashing windows, and causing further destruction. Eyewitness accounts also depicted glass bottles being shattered in the streets, with bystanders visibly shocked by the scale of the chaos.
🚨 UPDATE: There was a SHOOTING and 5 police cars were SMASHED in NYC after the Knicks won the FinalsPeople even attacked POLICE HORSES in the streets "At least 63 ARRESTS were made."Multiple fires broke out, 5 buses DESTROYEDMamdani's NYC is a 3rd world nation, with no… pic.twitter.com/CKXv0Rel6c
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 14, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Rioters are now COMPLETELY DESTROYING SCHOOL BUSES in Times SquareOne of the drivers had a panic attackPolice are TOTALLY overwhelmedThese people are NOT intimidated, as they know they VASTLY outnumber cops pic.twitter.com/DnVZjgHToN
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
The NYPD intervened around 2:30 AM, more than an hour after the initial reports of vandalism surfaced. Initially, no arrests were made at that time. The Knicks' 94–90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 secured a 4–1 series win, marking their first championship title since 1973. The decisive game took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Following the win, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani tweeted “HISTORY,” while Governor Kathy Hochul expressed pride in the team for making all New Yorkers proud. Large crowds gathered throughout New York City after the final whistle, with celebrations continuing into the early morning before descending into chaos in various parts of Manhattan.