Unruly New York Knicks fans turned a reason to celebrate into chaos late Friday after their team opened a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
With Game 2 at San Antonio on Friday night, more than 6,000 fans gathered at a watch party outside Madison Square Garden before the scene on the streets of Manhattan afterward turned violent.
A female police officer was assaulted to the point of needing medical attention, while 26 people were arrested following what one police official described as “pandemonium.”
“A victory celebration shouldn’t end with blood pouring down a police officer’s face,” Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hendry said in a statement. “Our sister was just doing her job, trying to keep everyone safe in the pandemonium … when an individual jumped over a barrier and punched her in the face hard enough to leave a bloody gash.”
Among the reasons for arrests were people who scaled light poles, as well as those who jumped on food carts and subway entrances. There was at least one arrest for selling counterfeit merchandise. A total of 17 of those arrested were criminally charged, according to the New York Daily News.
A foreshadowing to Friday’s unrest came after Game 1 on Wednesday when eight people were arrested following a watch party at Madison Square Garden.
The best-of-seven series now shifts to New York for Game 3 on Monday. The Knicks sit two victories away from their first NBA title since the 1972-73 season.
