26 arrested – More than two dozen people were arrested after a Knicks watch party outside Madison Square Garden following New York’s 105-104 Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, June 5. An NYPD officer was assaulted while trying to stop a fan who refused to leav
When the Knicks’ Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs sent thousands of fans flooding outside Madison Square Garden, the night was supposed to end in celebration. It didn’t.
On Friday. June 5. more than two dozen people were arrested and an NYPD officer was assaulted after a watch party outside the arena turned chaotic as fans celebrated New York’s 105-104 victory. a result that brought the Knicks two wins closer to their first championship since 1973. Nearly 7. 000 fans showed up at “the World’s Most Famous Arena. ” but authorities said the trouble broke out when an officer tried to stop a fan who refused to leave the area.
The officer was punched during the attempt to move the crowd. Authorities said the woman then jumped a barricade and ran into a restricted area. By the time the scene was handled, 26 fans had left the area in handcuffs. Seventeen people were arrested and charged, while nine others were issued criminal court summonses for disorderly conduct and released.
Karely Reyes, 29, was charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration for the incident involving the police officer.
Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hendry said the response was meant to keep order in a moment that quickly spiraled. “A victory celebration shouldn’t end with blood pouring down a police officer’s face,” Hendry said in a statement. “Our sister was just doing her job. trying to keep everyone safe in the pandemonium following the Knicks Game 2 win when an individual jumped over a barrier and punched her in the face hard enough to leave a bloody gash.” Hendry also said the punishment should match the conduct. “This is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” he added. “We will be in court to make sure this individual faces the consequences she deserves.”.
The scale of the police presence shows just how quickly the crowd control challenge can shift. The NYPD had more than 1,000 officers on patrol at the MSG watch party.
The timing now heightens the stakes for the next round. Game 3 is Monday, June 8 at Madison Square Garden. Security will be on high alert once again as President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Trump had earlier said he will attend Game 3. and when asked about high ticket prices. he responded. “that’s the way life is. you know?”.
At MSG. the sequence is hard to miss: a win draws an enormous crowd. police step in to contain the area. and the violence that can follow turns a celebration into a criminal case. With President Trump expected to be there. the question for Monday isn’t whether the Knicks’ fans will show up—it’s whether the night can stay on the right side of the barricade.
Knicks Madison Square Garden NBA Finals watch party NYPD arrests disorderly conduct Karely Reyes Pat Hendry Trump Game 3
Knicks fans are wild, smh.
So an officer tried to move them and then it turned into that… but who was even gonna leave right after a win? Seems like both sides messed up. Also 105-104 is super close so of course people are gonna be hyped.
Wait the article says it was outside MSG and a woman jumped a barricade into a restricted area? That’s what I don’t get like why is there even a restricted area for fans if they just won. Sounds like they were looking for an excuse to arrest somebody. Like I’m not saying the officer deserved a punch but it reads like crowd control was handled poorly.
26 arrested for a watch party?? That’s crazy over basketball. I swear every time something happens at MSG it’s “officer assaulted” and then everyone’s getting cuffed. Also the Spurs are never innocent either, like they probably talked trash or something and people just went off. Either way, they should’ve had more security already, not after it blows up.