The New York Knicks of the NBA secured an important victory in the fourth game of the finals, as fans celebrated wildly around Madison Square Garden (MSG) on the night of the 10th. However, some members of the crowd got out of control and caused chaos, leading to a disorderly scene. The authorities reported that a total of 10 police officers were injured in the incident, with 56 people detained by the police, out of which 15 were formally arrested.
The Knicks staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth game of the NBA finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic fashion, moving just one victory away from the team’s first championship in 53 years. After the game, around 10,000 fans flooded the area around Madison Square Garden, celebrating the victory from 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue.
However, what started as a joyous celebration gradually turned into a chaotic scene. The police mentioned that some people were setting off fireworks and firecrackers, climbing streetlights and police cars, standing on car roofs while chanting slogans, and even attempting to overturn taxis. Some individuals threw glass bottles and other items at law enforcement officers, with one officer sustaining a head injury from a glass bottle. To restore order, a large number of police forces were deployed to control the situation.
According to police statistics, a total of 56 individuals were taken in for investigation during the incident, with 41 of them released after receiving summonses, while 15 were formally arrested. The charges included assault on police officers, endangering public safety, and criminal damage.
A spokesperson from the New York City Police Department stated that the recent large-scale dangerous and reckless behaviors by some individuals highlighted the necessity for an increased deployment of police forces around Madison Square Garden.
Mayor Mamdani advocated for centralized management of the fan crowds through outdoor viewing events led by the city government, aiming to reduce the risk of losing control. The city government mentioned that they had approved a permit for an outdoor viewing event for up to 999 people, proposed by Madison Square Garden, but the event was eventually canceled by the organizers.
James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden, believed that the city’s strict limits on the number of attendees were too stringent and couldn’t meet the demands of a large number of fans. He stated that allowing only a few individuals into the event area would exclude tens of thousands of fans who wished to celebrate around the stadium, leading to the decision not to adopt the permit proposal.
Currently, the Knicks lead the finals series by 3-1, with the opportunity to win the first NBA championship since 1973 if they secure another victory on June 13 in San Antonio. As for whether another large outdoor viewing event will be held outside Madison Square Garden during the fifth game, there is currently no clear decision in place.