It felt like a garden party, except it was outside the garden.
Thousands of Knicks fans flooded Seventh Avenue on Friday night, celebrating their team’s unexpected triumph over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
This series upset brought a wave of excitement, with cheers echoing as a sea of blue and orange filled the streets around Madison Square Garden, marking a notable win against the reigning champions.
Chants of victory filled the air along with… well, some thrown items—bananas, a few glass bottles, and at least one shoe.
“I saw a lot of things flying,” said 25-year-old Jermy Montero. “People were just so hyped, pushing past each other, even knocking down barricades into the street,” he recalled. “Then everyone ran into the street when the cops started showing up.”
“I felt a bit claustrophobic, but it’s okay now,” he added, chuckling.
Sjthedonn, an 18-year-old from the Bronx, described his own experience: “I even saw my bra go flying amidst the chaos. I sprained my ankle too, but, you know, it was all in good fun.” He continued, “Everyone was celebrating, and by the end of it, the crowds had swelled. It was loud and intense.”
“It genuinely felt like a concert riot,” his friend, Baby Brooklyn Wick, remarked. “Yeah, it really did. Everyone was trying to leave at once, but there was just no space,” Sjthedonn added. “That created a lot of pushing—some people fell and began fighting, which was kind of wild.”
While excitement filled the scene, it also led to some unusual actions. One fan lit his Celtics jacket on fire, reveling in the celebration.
Despite the chaotic atmosphere, the crowd parted for a car carrying Spike Lee, a prominent Knicks fan from Brooklyn, who made his way through. Videos capturing these moments spread quickly online.
Meanwhile, fans geared up to look ahead to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were eliminated in a seven-game series last year.
Popular Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart have a friendship with Tyrese Haliburton. The first game in the upcoming series is set to take place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
