Knicks Win First NBA Title in 53 Years as Celebrations Spill Into Times Square

June 14, 2026 MANHATTAN, NEW YORK –
The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years, beating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night in San Antonio to take the series 4-1. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight in the fourth quarter, as New York rallied from a 16-point deficit, according to the Associated Press. It is the franchise’s first title since 1973.

Crowds built around Madison Square Garden during the game even though it was played in San Antonio.

The NYPD installed barricades across multiple streets near the arena and pushed crowds back, according to FreedomNews.TV, which covered the celebrations on scene. SRG officers in riot gear and mounted units worked to clear fans from the MSG area and made arrests.

The largest crowds gathered in Times Square. Fans climbed on top of and inside buses, including a school bus and a FIFA-branded bus.

Driver attempted to defend his school bus as it got smashed up, another school bus ended up with its windshield smashed and its hood torn off and later set on fire.

Fans attempted to flip the bus, set off flares and fireworks, and climbed onto cars.

Vandalism of a marked NYPD vehicle had its windshield smashed as people climbed on top of it by unruly crowds near MSG.

Multiple shots were fired in Times Square as police continued clearing the area, and that a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during the celebration. A suspect is in custody. One of the damaged school buses caught fire in Times Square before the buses were towed out. The shooting remains under investigation.

Per NYPD: chaos erupted across Midtown Manhattan after Knicks Game 5.

Ten officers injured. One punched in the face, another struck with a glass bottle.

A shooting at 43rd and Broadway wounded a 17-year-old. Crowds took over 43rd Street so completely that no ambulance could reach the scene, so NYPD drove the victim to the hospital. Officers recovered a firearm and took three people of interest into custody.

Four slashings and stabbings.

Crowds torched five school buses that were shuttling fans from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup.

Five NYPD vehicles wrecked. People swung bats at the cars, jumped on the roofs, and smashed front and back windshields. Crowds destroyed multiple personal vehicles too.

People set off fireworks inside packed crowds, climbed light poles, traffic signals, and scaffolding, and brawled in the street. Crowds blocked avenues for hours and refused to disperse.

63 arrested. Charges include assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (gun), criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.