Knicks Fans Face Arrests During Finals Celebration
On Wednesday night, a number of Knicks fans were taken into custody at Madison Square Garden while they celebrated their team’s exhilarating Game 1 win in the NBA Finals, coinciding with the city’s first outdoor game party in weeks.
Fans flooded the streets around the Garden, cheering for the Knicks’ 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs, watched over by hundreds of police officers. Mayor Zoran Mamdani even passed by in a black SUV, waving to the crowd, as seen in social media videos.
Outdoor events had been suspended for several weeks after the city pulled permits due to concerns over fan behavior.
The city issues permits for watch parties on an as-needed basis. So, returning to the outdoor setup outside the Garden on Wednesday was almost a test to see how fans would behave.
While the crowd was loud and somewhat rowdy, it remained mostly peaceful. Knicks supporters waved flags, chanted, and even crowd-surfed, all while packed closely behind barricades set up by the NYPD.
However, some individuals caused trouble by climbing utility poles and vehicles, leading to the majority of the arrests. Law enforcement reported that at least four fans were taken into custody.
As police handcuffed a few individuals, others in the crowd began chanting, “Free them, free them,” according to observations.
The NYPD had not confirmed the total number of arrests or specific charges by early Thursday.
Earlier, the city had lifted restrictions on watch parties after the NYPD cited disturbances from unruly fans ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yet the outdoor celebration was reinstated after discussions between the Mayor’s Office and MSG about holding it again before Wednesday’s game, although the NYPD was not part of those talks.
A city spokesperson reiterated that permits would only be granted for each game individually.
Fans attending the watch party expressed enthusiasm about the Knicks making it to the Finals for the first time since 1999.
“I’m thrilled they brought back the watch parties,” said 25-year-old content creator Christian Cabrera. “It feels like a win for Knicks fans. We should unite.”
“Sure, we can get a bit rowdy; it can get chaotic. But we just love the Knicks. We want our team to win and the city to win too,” Cabrera added.
Others voiced concerns about the potential for chaos.
“They should keep having watch parties. It helps us celebrate our team and is good for New York’s culture,” suggested 21-year-old Daniel Tejada from the Bronx. “It’s fine to celebrate outside, but when people start climbing things and causing damage, that’s problematic—not just for New Yorkers, but for the environment too.”
Meanwhile, 55-year-old Toni Palazzo, who was smoking a cigar and waiting for a train, reflected on the significance of the moment. “The last time they made the finals, I was 29. Now, at 55, it’s been a long wait. We’re having fun, the team is likable, and I truly believe they’ll win,” he remarked.
“If you’re doing something wrong, sure, you should be arrested. But if you’re just enjoying yourself, that seems harsh,” Palazzo concluded.
