Unruly New York Knicks fans turned a reason to celebrate ‌into chaos late Friday after their team opened a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

With Game 2 at San Antonio on Friday night, more than 6,000 ‌fans gathered at a watch party outside Madison ​Square Garden before the scene on the streets of Manhattan afterward turned violent.

A female police ⁠officer was assaulted to the point of needing medical attention, ​while 26 people were arrested following what one police ⁠official described as "pandemonium."

"A victory celebration shouldn't end with blood pouring down a police officer's face," Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hendry said in ‌a statement. "Our sister was just doing her job, ​trying to keep ‌everyone safe in the pandemonium ... when an individual jumped over a barrier ‌and punched her in the face hard enough to leave a bloody gash."

Among the reasons for arrests were people ⁠who scaled light poles, ‌as well as those ⁠who jumped on food carts and subway entrances. There was ⁠at ⁠least one arrest for selling counterfeit merchandise. A total of 17 of those arrested were ‌criminally charged, according to the New York Daily News.

A foreshadowing to Friday's unrest came after Game 1 on ‌Wednesday when ​eight people were arrested ‌following a watch party at Madison Square Garden.

The best-of-seven series now shifts to New York ​for Game 3 on Monday. The Knicks sit two victories away from their first NBA title since ‌the 1972-73 season.