Absolute Madness in New York After the Knicks' Victory in the NBA Finals: Riots Are Not Missing
New York fans had not seen anything like this in over five decades
The wait is over. The New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years this Saturday after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the fifth game of the NBA Finals, a historic victory that sparked a burst of joy throughout New York City, although it was also accompanied by violent incidents and clashes with the police.
Thousands of fans watched the game on giant screens set up in various locations across the city, especially around Madison Square Garden. When the Knicks completed a spectacular comeback after being down by 16 points, jubilation took over the streets of Manhattan.
However, the celebrations soon turned into scenes of chaos. In Times Square, groups of fans clashed with police officers, smashed vehicle windshields, climbed scaffolding, lampposts, and statues, and even got on moving school buses and a fire truck. Hours later, one of those buses ended up engulfed in flames.
The situation escalated around 2 a.m. when several shots were heard near the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway. Videos taken by witnesses showed numerous people seeking shelter as at least seven gunshots rang out. According to initial police reports, no injuries were reported.
The New York Police Department confirmed multiple arrests during the night but did not provide a definitive number.
Meanwhile, the team owner, James Dolan, appealed for calm to the fans from San Antonio shortly after the game.
"We want everyone to enjoy this moment and celebrate. Please, stay safe. Do not harm yourselves or anyone else," he stated during a media appearance.
The city is already planning an official parade for next Thursday, accompanied by a ceremony at City Hall to honor the new champions.
A City Embracing Its Knicks
With the final buzzer came the ultimate explosion of emotion. Fireworks lit up the sky over Brooklyn and Central Park as thousands flooded the streets chanting the team's famous motto: "Go New York, Go New York, Go!".
The celebration spread throughout the city. Police officers and emergency workers joined in the chants, strangers hugged in the streets, and drivers honked their horns even in places as remote as the Lincoln Tunnel.
In Central Park, where an official party was held to watch the game, emotions ran high. Mathieu Ogno, a fan from Long Island, couldn't hold back tears as he celebrated the title wearing Jalen Brunson's jersey.
The point guard was the standout of the night with a memorable 45-point performance that earned him the Finals MVP award. His competitive spirit and ability to deliver in crucial moments have endeared him to New York fans.
A Title for New York's History Books
The championship ends a drought of 19,392 days for a franchise that hadn't reached the Finals since 1999, the very year they fell to the Spurs. It also caps off an extraordinary playoff run where the Knicks won 15 of their last 16 games.
The last time the franchise lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy was in 1973, also with an away victory in a fifth game. Their first championship came in 1970, in an unforgettable seventh game played at home.
For many fans, this success represents the reward for decades of frustrations. Shawn Muoneke, 26, traveled from Maryland to experience it in New York and summed up the general sentiment of the fans.
"I've seen the good and the bad times. I've seen this team rise again. Seeing them finally reach the top is incredible," he said.
Congratulations even came from the political sphere. U.S. President Donald Trump, a long-time Knicks supporter, celebrated the championship on his social media and hailed the team's recent victories as "some of the greatest in basketball history."
Given the incidents during the celebrations and violence in previous games of the series, authorities deployed a significant security operation. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for responsibility among citizens.
"As we celebrate, let's take care of each other, act wisely, and make this a night that reflects the best of our city. Let's go Knicks!" he wrote on social media.
New York is now enjoying a party it has been waiting for for over half a century. Although the historic triumph was partially tarnished by the disturbances, the city is experiencing one of the happiest moments in its recent sports history thanks to the Knicks' return to the top of the NBA.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Locura absoluta en Nueva York tras el triunfo de los Knicks en las Finales NBA: no faltan los disturbios
