Mayhem broke out Monday night on Manhattan’s 42nd Street as thousands of rowdy New York Knicks fans flooded the area outside an NBA Finals Game 3 watch party in Bryant Park.
After a highly anticipated watch party outside Madison Square Garden was canceled due to heightened security for President Donald Trump’s attendance at the game, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a 5,000-person watch party in Bryant Park, which required attendees to register in advance.
‘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.’
While the crowd inside the park was collected, thousands of fans who did not make it into the park began to wreak havoc on infrastructure, police officers, and other civilians.
Police said about 7,000 people were at Bryant Park and the surrounding area as the chaos erupted.
Multiple videos show people climbing scaffolding, walking on top of police vehicles, tearing down trees, engaging in fistfights, swarming a taxi cab, and aggressively shaking a bus stop signpost — detaching the sign in the process.
That bus sign was later used as a weapon in a brawl between multiple fans before police intervened.
Members of the crowd threw beer bottles at officers, which prompted the use of pepper spray. Multiple fans also attempted to climb a passing NYPD barricades truck while chanting, “Suck my d**k.”
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Additional police officers were deployed in riot gear to disperse the crowd.
The NYPD said 21 people were taken into custody, eight of whom were charged, while the other 13 were released with criminal court summonses for disorderly conduct.
Two people were charged with assault on a police officer, while one man was charged with attempted assault on an officer, the NYPD added.
Five police officers were reportedly injured as well.
New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry on Tuesday denounced the conduct: “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.”
Hendry added that “our elected leaders need to send a stronger message and make it crystal clear that this behavior won’t be tolerated.”
The Knicks lost Game 3 to the Spurs 115-111 but still lead the series 2 games to 1. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announcing that watch parties outside the venue are expected to resume.
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