UPDATE: NYC Erupted in Violence After Knicks Clinched First Title in 53 Years, 63 Arrested, 10 Cops Injured, School Buses Torched and Shooting in Times Square * The Gateway Pundit * by Cassandra MacDonald

www.thegatewaypundit.com

A chaotic scene of a burning vehicle with onlookers capturing the moment on their phones during a nighttime disturbance.

As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, the New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought on Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

What began as jubilant celebrations across Manhattan quickly spiraled into widespread violence, with the NYPD reporting 63 arrests overnight into Sunday morning as crowds turned destructive in Midtown and Times Square.

Large crowds of tens of thousands of unruly fans and rioters gathered north of Madison Square Garden between Fifth and Ninth Avenues as the game concluded and after the final buzzer.

According to the NYPD, the groups refused to disperse, blocked major streets and avenues for hours, climbed light poles, traffic lights, scaffolding, and vehicles, lit fireworks in dense crowds, engaged in physical fights, and hurled bottles and other objects at police.

Much of the violence and chaos was captured on camera by independent journalist Nick Sortor, who was posting clips to X in real time.

WATCH:

Violence escalated rapidly.

Four stabbings were reported across the city.

A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot near 43rd Street and Broadway in Times Square.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene and took three people of interest into custody.

Due to crowds blocking access, officers personally transported the wounded teenager to the hospital, and he was reported to be in stable condition.

Ten NYPD officers were injured during the response, including one punched in the face and another struck by a glass bottle.

Property destruction was extensive.

Five school buses, some of which were being used to transport World Cup soccer fans to MetLife Stadium, were set on fire or heavily damaged with bats and by people jumping on them.

Five NYPD vehicles were also badly damaged, with windshields and windows shattered.

Multiple personal vehicles suffered similar destruction.

Arrests reached 63 by Sunday morning.

Charges filed or pending include assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (including a gun), criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.

The NYPD issued a statement to AMNY detailing the chaos:

“During the Knicks game last night, large crowds of unruly fans began to form at various places north of Madison Square Garden between Fifth and Ninth Avenues. It is estimated that those crowds ultimately grew to tens of thousands of people. As the game progressed and then following the game, the crowds became increasingly destructive, and there were many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior.”

This championship-night violence follows a pattern seen throughout the Knicks’ playoff and Finals run.

Earlier games, including Game 4, saw dozens of arrests and multiple officer injuries as fans clashed with police near Madison Square Garden.

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