As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, the New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought on Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
What began as jubilant celebrations across Manhattan quickly spiraled into widespread violence, with the NYPD reporting 63 arrests overnight into Sunday morning as crowds turned destructive in Midtown and Times Square.
Large crowds of tens of thousands of unruly fans and rioters gathered north of Madison Square Garden between Fifth and Ninth Avenues as the game concluded and after the final buzzer.
According to the NYPD, the groups refused to disperse, blocked major streets and avenues for hours, climbed light poles, traffic lights, scaffolding, and vehicles, lit fireworks in dense crowds, engaged in physical fights, and hurled bottles and other objects at police.
Much of the violence and chaos was captured on camera by independent journalist Nick Sortor, who was posting clips to X in real time.
WATCH:
🚨 BREAKING: MAYHEM in Times Square as THOUSANDS of rioters TAKEOVER SCHOOL BUSES
Most drivers have ABANDONED the buses, and rioters are in the drivers seats
WE NEED MASS ARRESTS!
NO POLICE ARE ANYWHERE IN SIGHT! pic.twitter.com/HNZFzBvyEv
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
The riots tonight left Times Square looking like a total WARZONE.
Millions of dollars in property damage.
Several people injured, including officers.
Teenager shot.
All while Mamdani and Hochul were out partying
They didn’t left a FINGER to help the overwhelmed NYPD.
Shame. pic.twitter.com/SENyVLHQQT
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
🚨 Rioters not only destroyed school buses in Times Square tonight — they also tried taking over a CITY BUS while the DRIVER was still in it
Broke glass, kicked the door in, and then boarded.
Their faces on camera. But they don’t care, because there will be ZERO CONSEQUENCES pic.twitter.com/9Q2tAZIn3g
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Rioters have begun setting the school buses ON FIRE in Times Square during the Knicks riots
Police do not have NEARLY ENOUGH SUPPORT
Mamdani and Hochul have ABSOLUTELY FAILED NYPD and law abiding New Yorkers pic.twitter.com/yMtwfvhvFa
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
Violence escalated rapidly.
Four stabbings were reported across the city.
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot near 43rd Street and Broadway in Times Square.
🚨 BREAKING: SHOOTING REPORTED IN TIMES SQUARE AMID KNICKS RIOTS
Rioters are BLOCKING emergency vehicles from responding
THE NATIONAL GUARD SHOULD’VE BEEN DEPLOYED YESTERDAY.
WTF ARE YOU DOING, @KathyHochul?! pic.twitter.com/NIZ1iATJIa
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
Police recovered a firearm at the scene and took three people of interest into custody.
Due to crowds blocking access, officers personally transported the wounded teenager to the hospital, and he was reported to be in stable condition.
Ten NYPD officers were injured during the response, including one punched in the face and another struck by a glass bottle.
Property destruction was extensive.
Five school buses, some of which were being used to transport World Cup soccer fans to MetLife Stadium, were set on fire or heavily damaged with bats and by people jumping on them.
🚨 BREAKING: Rioters are now COMPLETELY DESTROYING SCHOOL BUSES in Times Square
One of the drivers had a panic attack
Police are TOTALLY overwhelmed
These people are NOT intimidated, as they know they VASTLY outnumber cops pic.twitter.com/DnVZjgHToN
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2026
Five NYPD vehicles were also badly damaged, with windshields and windows shattered.
Multiple personal vehicles suffered similar destruction.
Arrests reached 63 by Sunday morning.
Charges filed or pending include assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (including a gun), criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.
The NYPD issued a statement to AMNY detailing the chaos:
“During the Knicks game last night, large crowds of unruly fans began to form at various places north of Madison Square Garden between Fifth and Ninth Avenues. It is estimated that those crowds ultimately grew to tens of thousands of people. As the game progressed and then following the game, the crowds became increasingly destructive, and there were many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior.”
This championship-night violence follows a pattern seen throughout the Knicks’ playoff and Finals run.
Earlier games, including Game 4, saw dozens of arrests and multiple officer injuries as fans clashed with police near Madison Square Garden.
Ad block users: Some site features may not work correctly while an ad blocker is enabled, because they break scripts and content this website depends on. If you can’t see comments below, for example, please disable your ad blocker.
