New York descended into pandemonium overnight as Knicks fans filled the streets and celebrated the team’s historic comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Crazed fans took to the Big Apple to laud the team’s 107-106 win, which came after the Knicks surged back from 29 points down to mark the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
As the city flew into a frenzy, some fans were seen taking their celebrations too far, and several were arrested. The NYPD did not immediately confirm how many arrests were made Wednesday night.
Clips sweeping social media showed people climbing on police cars and street signs, setting off fireworks and brawling in the streets.
One fan in an orange Knicks jersey was seen being arrested after allegedly lighting explosive devices and fireworks, moments before a second shirtless man was filmed being arrested by a throng of cops.
An NYPD vehicle and a yellow taxi cab were destroyed by dozens of jubilant fans in other videos, with one man holding up a Palestine flag as he smashed the vehicle’s windscreen.
In another ugly incident after the game, footage showed star Spurs player Victor Wembanyama being struck by an object as he stepped off the team bus to return to his hotel.
The NYPD said it has also launched a manhunt for suspects who assaulted a Spurs fan while he walked back to his hotel following the Texas team’s humiliating loss.
Authorities released images of the suspects striking the Spurs fan in the face and kicking him, before stealing the jersey off his back.
New York descended into pandemonium overnight as Knicks fans filled the streets and celebrated the team’s historic victory over the San Antonio Spurs – with several detained
Fans were seen destroying cars, climbing street signs and brawling to mark the Knicks win
Huge police presence and security measures did little to calm Knicks fans
The NYPD released several surveillance images of suspects who allegedly assaulted a Spurs fan after the game
The wild scenes came after New York City officials and Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan were slammed for not holding an official watch party outside the arena, and the city installed extensive security measures across midtown Manhattan.
But the huge police presence and security perimeters did little to calm the city following the win, which came after multiple arrests were also made after the previous two Knicks playoff games.
While throngs of Knicks fans were elated by the comeback victory and partied through the night on Wednesday, some sparked ugly scenes by targeting Wembanyama when he returned to his hotel.
The towering seven-foot-four Frenchman was seen in footage walking towards the entrance of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in midtown Manhattan when an object was hurled at him.
Wembanyama ducked as the object grazed his head and struck a nearby street sign.
The player was rushed inside, and the NYPD has not made any arrests.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was hit with an object thrown by a Knicks fan when he returned to his hotel following the humiliating collapse
Knicks fans jump on top of a police cruiser during celebrations
Fans were delirious following the Knicks’ victory
Two fans fight in the street in Manhattan following the result
New York City officials installed a huge police presence in anticipation of the wild scenes
Several people were arrested during the raucous night
Taylor Swift attended the game, and much like the rest of Madison Square Garden, was left in disbelief by the end
With authorities also searching for suspects who assaulted a Spurs fan, players on both teams condemned the attack as a stain on the historic night’s sport.
Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns said of the assault: ‘The game is built off of respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other.
‘We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA Finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.’
‘We can’t forget it’s just a game. We’re just playing a game out there. I’m all for passion but with respect for each other. It’s unacceptable,’ Towns added, per ABC7.
Ben Stiller also waded into the controversy on social media, saying in an X post: ‘Being a Knick fan doesn’t mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way… we get caught up during the games but we gotta show respect to our fellow humans.’
Swift was among the A-list celebrities witnessing the madness unfold at courtside
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were also among the raucous celebrations inside MSG
OG Anunoby rises above the crowd to make the game-winning tip shot against the Spurs
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While the streets of New York City went wild, inside the MSG arena was an A-list affair as many of the Knicks’ most famous supporters filled the seats.
Celebrities in attendance included Taylor Swift, Timothee Chalamet, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller, with one radio host caught in an awkward hot-mic moment telling Swift to ‘get out’ of the playoff game.
The pop megastar was taking in the action from courtside without fiancé Travis Kelce, who was unable to join her in the Big Apple while on a mandatory three-day minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs in preparation for the 2026 NFL season.
Swift was a mainstay on the broadcast of the game, as she went viral across social media for dancing and celebrating in the game’s final moments.
Elsewhere in the chaos, Timothee Chalamet looked like a man who had just witnessed a miracle, and Sandler and Chris Rock went wild.
There was one notable absentee on Wednesday night, however. Donald Trump, whose appearance at Game 3 had been greeted with a thunderous chorus of boos – and who left having watched the Knicks lose – was nowhere to be seen.
