Unruly Knicks fans went wild at a watch party at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, blocking traffic on W. 42nd St., ripping trees out of the ground and injuring at least two NYPD cops, police said Tuesday.
Up to five officers were injured, some by glass objects that were thrown, late Monday, according to the Police Benevolent Association, the NYPD’s largest union. Twenty-one people were taken into custody, including one at the Wollman Rink watch party in Central Park, late Monday.
The mayhem came as the Knicks lost the NBA Finals Game 3 to the Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
“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,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said.
“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.”
Thirteen of the suspects were issued summonses for disorderly conduct with the other eight arrested and held on various charges, including assault, weapon possession and obstructing governmental administration.
“Our elected leaders need to send a stronger message and make it crystal clear that this behavior won’t be tolerated,” Hendy said.
There were no incidents reported at the Brooklyn Bowl watch party.
Mayor Mamdani authorized the Bryant Park watch party after one outside Madison Square Garden was called off because President Trump was at the game and the Secret Service and NYPD put in place strict security measures inside and outside the arena.
“New Yorkers are understandably passionate about the Knicks, and the overwhelming majority of fans watched the game last night in ways that were both safe and fun,” Mamdani spokesperson Sam Raskin said in a statement.
“But the fights and other disruptive incidents — including assaults on police officers — in various parts of the city are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. As the NBA finals continue, Mayor Mamdani wants all New Yorkers to celebrate and enjoy this run across the city while respecting one another.”
Some 5,000 people were let into Bryant Park to watch the game and police estimate there were another 2,000 fans in the surrounding area.
A city official said registration for the Bryant Park event wasn’t clearly publicized, with many showing up either without having registered or with a copy of someone else’s registration. That watch party was only announced early in the day Monday, after the Madison Square Garden watch party was called off the day before.
The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, which Mamdani called for disbanding during his mayoral campaign, was called in to help disperse the crowd and made some of the arrests.
A large group brought traffic to a halt on W. 42d St. and refused to disperse, with multiple fights breaking out and troublemakers climbing atop scaffolding, light poles and police vehicles, an NYPD official said.
Glass objects were thrown between people fighting — and at officers, the official said. Bus signs and trees were ripped out of the ground.
It wasn’t clear if the mayhem will cause city officials to rethink a plan to hold a watch party outside the Garden when Game 4 is played Wednesday night.
With Josephine Stratman
