Arabic version: اندلاع العنف في نيويورك بعد احتفال فريق النكس بالبطولة

A teenager was shot and several buses were set on fire during celebrations in New York City following the Knicks’ historic NBA championship win. The Knicks secured their first title in more than half a century by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in game five on Saturday.

According to BBC News, the jubilant atmosphere turned chaotic as large crowds gathered in Manhattan. Gunfire erupted near Times Square, resulting in a 17-year-old boy being shot in the foot. While there were no fatalities reported, the celebrations took a violent turn with multiple incidents of disorder.

The NYPD reported that five yellow school buses, which had been used to transport World Cup fans, were destroyed. Revelers climbed onto the buses and posed for photos as they were engulfed in flames. Police cars were also targeted, with some individuals using bats to smash windshields.

In total, 63 people were arrested for various offenses, including assault on police officers and disorderly conduct. Ten police officers sustained injuries during the unrest, with one officer being struck with a glass bottle.

The earlier atmosphere was celebratory, with fans cheering and embracing each other in the streets. Official celebrations are scheduled to take place on Thursday, including a parade and a ceremony at city hall, as announced by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office.