Celebrations Turn into Chaos After Knicks’ Historic Championship
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94‑90, ending a 53‑year title drought. As fans poured onto Manhattan streets, the euphoria quickly turned chaotic.
At 02:00 a.m. near Times Square, gunshots rang out. A 17‑year‑old was wounded in the foot, and police vehicles were pounded with baseball‑bats. Five yellow school buses that had ferried World‑Cup fans were set alight, while several officers were injured.
NYPD said 63 people were arrested, with charges ranging from assault on a police officer to criminal possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct. Firefighters and officers worked to block crowds from entering 43rd Street.
Despite the violence, New York officials announced a city‑wide parade and formal city hall ceremony to honour the Knicks’ triumph.
