New York City police made dozens of arrests and responded to reports of shootings and stabbings as celebrations turned violent following the Knicks’ NBA championship victory.
Overnight, police arrested more than 60 people and responded to at least four stabbings and one shooting as thousands flooded the streets to celebrate the team’s first championship in more than half a century.
The charges, according to The New York Post, included assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a gun, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.
At least 10 members of the NYPD were injured, including one officer who was struck by a glass bottle, according to The Post.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media captured scenes of the mayhem, including rioters setting fire to school buses before fire officials extinguished the flames.
🚨 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
“It’s absolute anarchy in New York City,” Barstool Sports posted on X.
Other videos captured loud flash bangs, fireworks, fans destroying street vehicles, and burning items in the street.
Knicks mania turned into complete insanity in Times Square when fans smashed and tore apart several school buses in the packed party hub — including one that was left completely engulfed in fire. pic.twitter.com/Q9MFnkWxS7
— New York Post (@nypost) June 14, 2026
Not everyone turned to violence. One viral clip showed thousands in the streets and hanging from apartment buildings singing Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” capturing the unapologetic energy of the Big Apple.
EVERYONE IN NYC IS SINGING EMPIRE STATE OF MIND https://t.co/theerk3Y6r
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 14, 2026
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four — Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson!”
Last week, Knicks owner James Dolan stated that New York City officials, not President Trump or the Secret Service, were responsible for the intense security surge around Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, as previously reported by The Daily Wire.
On Monday night, as the Knicks hosted the NBA Finals in the Big Apple for the first time in decades, local authorities imposed strict access controls around the arena ahead of President Trump’s attendance. Only ticketed fans were permitted within the secured perimeter, which featured expanded checkpoints, street closures, and restricted movement zones around Penn Station and nearby blocks.
But according to Dolan, the crackdown was not driven by federal officials.
“Look, let’s just talk about the Game 3, right? The Secret Service didn’t demand this stuff. It was NYPD, and it was really the commissioner’s office,” Dolan said during an appearance on The Carton Show.
Dolan’s comments appear to contradict the narrative that President Trump and the Secret Service sparked the confusion and long lines outside Madison Square Garden.
“All because Donald Trump wanted to make it about himself,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said of the situation. “I trust New Yorkers will let him hear how they feel about that.”
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