NEW YORK â It was bedlam on Broadway as the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years on Saturday night, with exuberant celebrations marred by mayhem and violence, including gunshots in Times Square .
Outside Madison Square Garden , a crowd watching on a big screen roared as the Knicks rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Spurs in San Antonio in Game 5 of the NBA Finals .
Soon after, rowdy fans were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck. Later, one of the buses was engulfed in flames.
Around 2 a.m., gunshots were fired near 42nd Street and Broadway, police said. Bystander video captured the sound of at least seven shots and showed people crouching and running for cover. Preliminary reports indicated no one was injured, police said.
The NYPD said there were multiple arrests but wouldnât have a total until later on Sunday.
Knicks owner James Dolan, speaking in San Antonio after the game, urged fans to stay calm.
âWe need to tell everybody in New York that we know that theyâre celebrating, we want them to have a great time,â said Dolan, interrupting guard Josh Hartâs press conference. âPlease be safe. Donât get hurt, donât hurt anybody.â
The city will officially celebrate the Knicks on Thursday with a parade and City Hall ceremony.
As the clock ticked to the final buzzer on Saturday night, anxiety that had dominated the gameâs first three quarters gave way to euphoria. An orange-and-blue-tinted fever dream that started with the Knicksâ first playoff game two months ago ended in the third title in their 80-year history.
Fireworks boomed over Brooklyn and Central Park. Fans flocked to Times Square and ran through the streets. Outside the Garden, they sang the teamâs anthem: âGo New York, Go New York, Go!â
Police officers and ambulance workers shouted âLetâs go Knicksâ over loudspeakers in Brooklyn. Strangers shook hands and hugged. In the Lincoln Tunnel, where people were riding buses back from the World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, drivers honked their horns in celebration.
âIâm so overwhelmed. Iâm so happy,â said Mathieu Ogno, of Long Island, who fought back tears as he soaked in the victory at a team-sanctioned watch party at Wollman Rink in Central Park.
Ogno wore the jersey of Knicks captain Jalen Brunson , whose 45 points propelled the Knicks to victory and him to the NBA Finals MVP. Brunsonâs gritty determination and chip-on-his-shoulder style have made him a fan favorite, embodying New Yorkâs working-class ethos.
The Knicksâ championship - 19,392 days since their last - capped an extraordinary postseason for a franchise that hadnât been to the NBA Finals since losing to the Spurs in 1999. Since April 23, the team has won 15 of 16 games, with its lone loss coming Monday in Game 3.
Their last title, in 1973, was also won on the road in a Game 5. Their first, in 1970, was won at home in a Game 7 thriller. Neither was celebrated with a parade.
âIâm happy to see my Knicks finally make it over the hump,â said Shawn Muoneke, 26. âIâve seen them knock on the door. They were knocking on the door the past few years. But they finally made it over the hump, and Iâm so happy to see it and Iâm so happy Iâm in the city to experience it.â
Muoneke, born a year after the Knicksâ last trip to the NBA Finals , started rooting for them when he was 10. He drove from Maryland to be in the city for Game 5 at the teamâs Central Park watch party.
âI saw the ups, the downs and I watched the team come back up, and I was so happy to see them finally reach the highest echelon of stardom as a team,â Muoneke said.
After the Knicksâ win, he said, the vibes in the city âare the highest theyâve ever been.â
President Trump, a longtime Knicks fan who attended Game 3 at the Garden with Dolan, congratulated the team in a post on his Truth Social platform.
âWhat a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,â Trump wrote.
With Brunsonâs clutch performance, he added, âa superstar was born.â
After several dozen arrests throughout the playoffs and violence after Games 3 and 4 in New York that left officers injured and a teen in a coma, police girded for unrest as Saturday bled into Sunday.
âAs we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city,â Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on social media. âLetâs go Knicks.â
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Read the full article at The Washington Times âđSource document: Mayor Zohran Mamdani's statement
15 reports
NBC NewsIndependentCenter2 days agoThe article provides highlights and updates related to various news stories, including the potential size of the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade, developments regarding the Obama Presidential Center, updates on international relations, weather events, and other general news items.
Bias read (Center): The content focuses on sports and general news with no significant political framing or bias detected.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter3 days ago Watch highlights from the Knicks championship ticker-tape paradeThe article provides highlights from the New York Knicks' championship ticker-tape parade, including footage of fans celebrating, players participating in the event, and related news snippets such as a baseball team forfeiting a game over Pride Night jerseys and updates on the 2026 World Cup.
Bias read (Center): The content focuses on sports events and celebrations without any overt political commentary or bias. The article includes various unrelated news snippets but does not take a stance on any political issue.
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter3 days agoNew York City is hosting a ticker-tape parade to celebrate the New York Knicks' recent NBA championship win, marking the first such celebration since the 1970s. The event is expected to be one of the largest in the city's history, with thousands of fans gathering along the parade route. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the significance of the occasion, highlighting the historical nature of the event.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports-related event with no explicit political commentary, framing, or bias. It provides factual information about the ticker-tape parade, its historical context, and quotes from officials without taking a stance or using loaded language.
Official sources cited
- government Mayor Zohran Mamdani's statement
NPR NewsIndependentCenter3 days agoNew York City is holding a ticker-tape parade to celebrate the New York Knicks' recent NBA championship win, marking a significant moment for the team and its fans.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a celebratory event related to a sports team's achievement without taking a stance or using biased language. The content is purely informational and does not involve political commentary or framing.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter3 days ago Knicks set to be first NBA team to visit White House under TrumpThe New York Knicks will visit the White House to celebrate their NBA championship, according to an administration official. Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed the team received an invitation from the White House and plans to accept it. This would make the Knicks the first NBA champions to visit the White House during either of President Donald Trump's terms in office. Dolan mentioned inviting Trump to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals and expressed pride in bringing the team to the White House.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a scheduled event without overtly favoring any political perspective. It includes direct quotes from both the Knicks' owner and a White House official, presenting the information neutrally. There is no evident editorializing or biased language.
Official sources cited
- government White House official
- organisation James Dolan
NewsweekIndependentCenter5 days agoThe New York Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973 with a 4-1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP, scoring 45 points in Game 5. Backup center Mitchell Robinson contributed 10 rebounds in Game 5 and later shared an emotional social media post reflecting on his journey to the championship.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports coverage, specifically the New York Knicks' NBA championship win. There is no political framing, bias, or controversy present in the content. The language used is neutral and descriptive, focusing on the events and performances of the athletes involved.
NewsweekIndependentCenter5 days ago Knicks Projected to Add Mitchell Robinson Insurance in 2026 NBA DraftThe New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA Finals. Key player Mitchell Robinson secured his first championship ring after eight seasons with the team. However, Robinson is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, and the Knicks face financial challenges in retaining him due to their high payroll. The team is considering using the 2026 NBA draft to find a potential replacement for Robinson.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual summary of the Knicks' recent championship victory, Mitchell Robinson's role in the team, and the financial considerations surrounding his future with the team. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective sourcing that indicates a particularćŸ
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter6 days agoThe New York Knicks returned to New York City as NBA champions following their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The article describes the public reaction, including both celebratory events and some instances of violence.
Bias read (Center): The article covers a sports event with no explicit political content or framing. It focuses on public reactions without taking a stance or emphasizing any particular political perspective.
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter7 days agoA CBS reporter, Adi Guajardo, accidentally captured a fan using profanity during a live interview celebrating the New York Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years. The incident occurred at a watch party in New York following the team's victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The article notes that the reporter was visibly startled by the expletive and apologized. Other reporters on the scene also described being overwhelmed by the crowd's enthusiasm.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event involving a sports team's victory and a minor incident with a reporter. There is no political framing, commentary, or bias evident in the reporting. The content is purely descriptive and focuses on the event itself without taking a stance or emphasizing any particular
NBC NewsIndependentCenter7 days ago How New York Fans Are Celebrating the Knicks' Historic NBA TitleThe article discusses how New York fans are celebrating the New York Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on sports and does not present any political commentary or bias. It simply reports on fan celebrations following the Knicks' historic win.
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter7 days ago Mayhem mars euphoria as New York City celebrates the Knicks' first championship in 53 yearsThe New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years, leading to widespread celebrations across New York City. However, the festivities were disrupted by chaos and violence, including property damage, clashes with police, and gunfire near Times Square. Knicks owner James Dolan urged fans to remain calm and safe during the celebrations.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of events without overtly favoring any political perspective. It describes both the celebration of the Knicks' victory and the associated disorder without taking a stance on either the positive or negative aspects.
Official sources cited
- government Preliminary reports from NYPD
- organisation Statement from Knicks owner James Dolan
NBC NewsIndependentCenter7 days ago Knicksâ long-awaited title sparks wild celebrations â and a night of chaos in New YorkThe New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years, leading to widespread celebrations throughout New York City.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event with no political implications or controversy. The focus is purely on the celebration of a sports victory, which is apolitical in nature.
The HillIndependentCenter7 days agoPresident Trump congratulated the New York Knicks on winning their first NBA Championship in over 50 years. He posted a message on Truth Social expressing his congratulations to team owner Jim Dolan.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a non-political eventâcongratulations from a public figure to a sports team. There is no framing or slant detectable in the content provided.
ABC News (US)IndependentCenter7 days agoThe New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years, but the festivities were disrupted by chaos and violence, including gunfire in Times Square.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on events related to a sports team's victory and the associated public reaction, which is inherently non-political. The content focuses on the celebration and the incidents that occurred during it without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political perspective.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter8 days ago New Yorker confronts unruly Knicks fans: "This is our city"When violence erupted near a New York Knicks watch party on Monday, one New Yorker stood up to the unruly crowd.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an incident involving fan behavior at a sports event without taking a stance or using biased language. It focuses on the actions of an individual confronting unruly fans, which does not indicate a clear ideological leaning.
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