NYPD arrests multiple Knicks fans as New York City is sent into chaos after first NBA Finals berth since 1999

For the first time in 27 years, the New York Knicks are heading back to the NBA Finals. While the team surely had ample celebrations in the locker room after their Game 4 blowout on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team’s fans probably had the rowdiest celebration.

Despite Madison Square Garden’s permit being revoked by the NYPD after unruly behavior on Thursday night, fans still swarmed the city streets outside of the arena and Radio City Music Hall’s watch party. With the reactions, it would appear that the Knicks had won the championship; not quite, though.

Knick fans have been waiting years for this return to the grand stage; some fans will watch the team in the NBA Finals for the first time in their lives. New York fans are certainly taking the time to live in the moment, and they gave reactions that will live on far beyond the result this team gives.

Here are some of the craziest scenes from around the Big Apple on Monday night.

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Knicks fans celebrate first NBA Finals berth since 1999

In recent history, New York basketball fans have been some of the rowdiest in the league. The team’s success and continuous progression after each playoff run have been a treat for fans who have long endured previous tough seasons. All that energy has been festering and coming to a head as of late, and the mayhem has stretched out onto New York City streets after every playoff win.

After the Knicks swept the Cavaliers on Monday night, fans swarmed areas outside of Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the team’s first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Here are some of the craziest scenes from Monday night, when multiple arrests were made.

Imagine if the Knicks win the championship 😭 pic.twitter.com/S3PoqTNzzJ
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 26, 2026

When one fan was asked what he would give up to see the Knicks win a championship, he didn’t hold back. Hopefully, his coworkers did not see this video, as he gave them a shoutout.

Warning: this video includes explicit language

Knicks fans are losing it right now 😭
“I would give up my f—king coworkers, f—k them because they’re all useless. I would give up half my family [for Knicks to win the title].” 💀 pic.twitter.com/aiZIqqFvhw
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) May 26, 2026

One Knicks fan used a guard rail to crowd surf atop the crowd’s arms, and he made quick ground in doing so. The recent mayhem in the Big Apple has begun emulating what was seen in Philadelphia after their sports championships, a city notorious for rowdy and crazy sports fans.

Look Knicks Fans…. I’m with you.
But we’re stating to act like Philly fans.
Let’s relax a little pic.twitter.com/Ij1CfXcRbu
— kevin smith (@kevin_smith45) May 26, 2026

Here is a clip of one fan who was caught standing on a New York City streetlight pole. Unfortunately, his celebratory night would end more quickly than anticipated, as the deed resulted in an arrest.

FOLKS ARE GETTING ARRESTED 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zAVOC7aR3A
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 26, 2026

A handful of fans took to the roof of a taxi booth in celebration. They would eventually jump off and land in a sea of blue and orange. Here is a video highlighting that, along with the masses of fans in the city streets.

Although I’m a spurs, & Nets fan; seeing my city win AND THAT article body shaming Jalen Brunson was enough
Cheers to the Knicks go New York go New York go. New York is the main character ALWAYS pic.twitter.com/CTc8LCu5BN
— Lia Monè (@AMB0915) May 26, 2026

MORE: How does the present-day MSG celebrity row compare to 1999?

NYPD arrests Knicks fans

After Monday night’s game, multiple arrests were made while Knicks fans were celebrating, according to the NY Daily News. The city had NYPD officers swarming outside of Madison Square Garden prior to the tipoff of Game 4, which was held in Cleveland. However, Radio City Music Hall was hosting a large watch party.

According to an NYPD spokesperson, cops were already stationed at the Knicks’ home arena attempting to do crowd control. At around 10:46 p.m., a large group of people became disorderly near West 34th St. and Seventh Ave.

Knicks fans have been no strangers to arrests during the Eastern Conference Finals. Six people were arrested after the team’s 16-point Game 2 win, according to NBC New York.

On Thursday night, roughly 6,000 fans attended a watch party outside of Madison Square Garden when some attendees jumped over police barriers, threw things into the crowd, blocked vehicle traffic on multiple streets, climbed on top of subway entrances, and engaged in public drinking, according to CBS News.

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The mayhem resulted in the NYPD not supporting these watch parties anymore, and Madison Square Garden’s permit to host these outdoor gatherings was revoked.

It remains to be seen if this ruling will hold during the Knicks first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, but for now, it is the team’s first loss in over a month.

MORE: Where does New York’s run compare to in NBA playoff history?

NYPD arrests multiple Knicks fans as New York City is sent into chaos after first NBA Finals berth since 1999

Knicks fans celebrate first NBA Finals berth since 1999

NYPD arrests Knicks fans

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