In an electrifying atmosphere following the New York Knicks' historic victory in the NBA Finals, chaos erupted in Midtown Manhattan late Saturday night. Thousands of exuberant basketball fans flooded the streets to celebrate their team's win, marking a momentous occasion as the Knicks triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs in the fifth game of the series, clinching their first title since 1973. The jubilant crowd, filled with youthful exuberance, ignited fireworks and set off smoke grenades, chanting "Knicks in five!" as they spilled out of crowded bars and outdoor venues.
However, the celebrations took a dark turn when a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during the festivities in Times Square, as reported by a New York police officer. Authorities confirmed that three individuals of interest were taken into custody in connection with the incident. The Knicks' victory was particularly significant as this marked only their third appearance in the finals, following losses in 1994 and 1999, further underscoring the excitement among fans who had long awaited this moment.
The festivities continued into the early hours, with large groups of fans surrounding a convoy of approximately 15 shuttle buses that had transported soccer fans from the inaugural World Cup game in the New York area, which ended in a draw between Brazil and Morocco. In a display of unrestrained enthusiasm, some fans climbed onto the roofs of the buses, while others entered the vehicles and even sat in the driver's seats. Tragically, one of the yellow school buses hired by the city government for fan transport was set ablaze, as confirmed by a Reuters video journalist who witnessed the scene. Fortunately, it was unclear if there were any injuries related to this incident, although at least three other shuttle buses sustained significant damage.
In a bizarre twist, a bicycle was hoisted onto the roof of another bus, and Brazilian soccer supporters joined Knicks fans in a show of solidarity, proudly waving their national flag. Amidst the chaos, a man with a bleeding face was seen maneuvering through the throngs, although the cause of his injury remained unknown. Reflecting on the situation, Youssef Sabbr, a 49-year-old Canadian of Moroccan descent, remarked, "They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is. That’s what happens everywhere around the world when a team wins." As the night progressed, police began to intervene, having held back for roughly two hours before officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowds, clearing streets around the iconic Madison Square Garden.
Among the onlookers was Carol Marino, a real estate agent in her 50s, who took a moment to catch her breath on the sidewalk after watching the game in a nearby bar. She exclaimed, "Oh my God. It's like New Year's Eve times twenty," capturing the sheer intensity of the celebrations. Elsewhere, jubilant fans were seen playing drums, embracing one another, and climbing scaffolding and traffic lights in their exuberance. New York couple Dean and Christina Smiros, lifelong Knicks fans, expressed their delight at witnessing the team's victory for the first time in their lives, with Christina noting, "They have not won since before we were born." The night was undoubtedly one for the history books, reflecting the passionate spirit of Knicks fans and their long-awaited triumph.
As reported by jpost.com.
