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Some 21 Knicks fans were arrested, and several police officers were injured in Midtown late Monday night as the Bryant Park basketball watch party turned into
Some 21 Knicks fans were arrested, and several police officers were injured in Midtown late Monday night as the Bryant Park basketball watch party turned into a riot.
Mayhem unfolded outside the park festivities on 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, just after the game resumed from halftime. Thousands had gathered in and around the park when the alcohol-fueled revelers began celebrating what, at the time, was a lead. The Knicks would go on to lose Game 3 thanks to a surge from the San Antonio Spurs and questionable officiating.
The watch party at Bryant Park had been scheduled on Monday morning after President Trump’s visit to Game 3 led the NYPD and Madison Square Garden to cancel the scheduled watch party outside “The World’s Most Famous Arena” due to security concerns. At the start of Game 3, the Bryant Park watch party had a festive atmosphere, with fans dancing alongside Hare Krishnas playing drums, who were themselves decked out in Knicks merch.
Feet away, a group balanced a laptop on a fire hydrant fixture and watched the final unfold. Most of the thousands of fans at Bryant Park’s game three watch party were largely peaceful, but rowdy, chaotic fans overwhelmed peaceful bystanders.
Meanwhile, the excitement got the better of some fans, who went on a rampage, ripping branches from trees and overturning massive pots. The horde then climbed a passing police truck used to distribute barricades, with those aboard literally having to push them off from scaling the sides before speeding away. The chaos did not end there. Basketball fanatics surrounded a bus stop sign and attempted to rip it out of the concrete ground by twisting it and shaking it rapidly.
However, one fan looked to intercede, pulling a man from atop a tree pot. This resulted in an all-out brawl, with haymakers thrown and the good Samaritan placed in a headlock.
‘There were an estimated 7,000 people attending the watch party in the vicinity of Bryant Park on Monday night. The crowd became increasingly rowdy, violent, and destructive, and there were many incidents of disorderly and dangerous behavior. A large crowd of people took over 42nd Street and refused to disperse – blocking vehicular traffic and causing significant disruptions to traffic in the area,” part of a statement from an NYPD spokesperson said.
The fight spilled into the roadway near a group of police officers, who quickly became surrounded. One cop became enraged with members of the media, pushing an amNewYork photographer and screaming, “Get that flash out of my face. ” There was a tense standoff between police and fans, with several skirmishes erupting. The panicked officers attempted to push the revelers back before several of them brandished pepper-spray and doused the crowd and members of the media documenting the incident.
Some people climbed on top of an NYPD squad car while others on the ground cheered and kicked the vehicle. This only seemed to infuriate fans, who threw bottles of alcohol, tree branches, and other objects at the officers.
Sources at the scene say it was a similar situation outside Madison Square Garden, where, despite an enhanced security presence due to the president’s attendance, multiple brawls broke out, with Knicks fans attempting to rip Spurs jerseys from the backs of Spurs supporters. All in all, sources say at least four police officers suffered minor injuries, enraging their union.
“Last night was another shameful display from individuals who are more interested in brawling with each other, ripping up street signs, and hurling objects at cops than supporting their team. We know New Yorkers are passionate about these NBA Finals, but police officers shouldn’t have to endure a barrage of mayhem after every single game. Our elected leaders need to send a stronger message and make it crystal clear that this behavior won’t be tolerated,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said.
Yelling “Move back” and waving their weapons, they pushed the large group back to 5th Avenue as the crowd climbed trucks and scaffolding. As the line of police advanced, Knicks fans taunted officers, taking selfies and live streaming while chaos and destruction unfolded.
Police sources say a total of 21 were taken into custody during the clashes, eight of whom were charged with the likes of assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. Thirteen people were issued summons.
“The members of the crowd broke engaged in incredibly reckless behavior – there were large physical and violent fights that resulted in multiple injuries. People climbed on top of scaffolding, light poles, police cars, and NYPD trucks, causing significant damage. The crowd was throwing glass objects at each other and police officers, and they ripped bus signs and trees out of the ground to throw them. Individuals refused many police orders to clear the streets,” a police spokesperson continued.
The NYPD added that local restaurants and bars within the MSG secure zone were full of patrons enjoying the game without incident, despite the surrounding chaos. Dean Moses is the Police Bureau Chief at amNewYork and resident photographer. He leads coverage of the NYPD, crime, criminal justice, and breaking news. Sadie Brown is a general assignment reporter at amNY, joining the newsroom after covering the city’s northernmost borough for the Bronx Times starting in 2024.
She graduated from the CUNY Craig Newmark School of Journalism in 2022. After a stint in international—then national news—Sadie found her calling in local journalism. Originally from Texas, she’s a proud barbecue snob and Topo Chico evangelist.
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