The New York Knicks are in the midst of a historic playoff run, winning 13 consecutive games as they look to win their first NBA Championship since 1973. Understandably, the team’s fans have been excited, but some fans took things a little too far following the team’s latest win.
On Friday night, the Knicks pulled off a narrow 105-104 win over the Spurs in San Antonio to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals before the series comes to New York City next week. It was a cause for enormous celebration throughout the city. Unfortunately, that celebration turned violent.
Police Officer Assaulted
Following Friday night’s game, the New York City Police Department said that 17 people were arrested and charged outside of the Knicks’ watch party at Madison Square Garden as fans refused orders to leave the area and even climbed on light poles. As the situation turned violent, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that a police officer was unfortunately assaulted.
In a statement issued to social media on Saturday night, Mamdani called the incident “unacceptable” as he condemned the violence.
“The assault on an NYPD officer outside Madison Square Garden last night was unacceptable,” Mamdani wrote in a post on X. “New Yorkers are rightfully excited about the Knicks’ historic Finals run, and we want fans to celebrate this moment together. There is, however, no place for violence, and no tolerance for attacks on police officers.”
Mamdani went on to express his gratitude to the police officers for their help on the chaotic night and pointed out that most fans were responsible despite the negative attention from the fans who were arrested.
“Thank you to the officers who worked to keep fans safe throughout the night, and we wish the injured officer a speedy recovery,” Mamdani wrote. “The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers celebrated responsibly, and I urge everyone to continue doing so as the Finals return to New York.”
Series Heads to New York
Given the reaction and the chaos that ensued in the city following a road win in the finals, the city will have to be prepared for what could be an even more chaotic scene this week when the series comes to New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
After winning the first two games on the road in San Antonio, the Knicks now have a chance to close out the NBA Finals at home with two games in MSG. If they can win the next two games, the scenes of celebration will likely dwarf what we saw on Friday night, and the city will have to be ready.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.