Over 60 Arrested, Teen Shot, Buses Destroyed In Knicks NBA Championship Mayhem

NEW YORK — Violence, destruction and dozens of arrests marred the exuberant celebration overnight in New York of the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years, according to police and media reports.

In all, 63 people were arrested, with charges including assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot around 2 a.m. Sunday in the area of Broadway and West 42nd Street, police said, adding the teen was brought to a hospital, three people of interest were taken into custody and a gun was recovered.

At least 10 members of the city’s police department were hurt, WABC reported, one of whom was punched in the face, while another was hit with a glass bottle.

Four people were stabbed or slashed, police said.

Five school buses were set ablaze or destroyed with bats and by people jumping on them, according to WABC, which added the buses were being used to transport World Cup fans. Five police cars were also damaged, according to authorities.

Outside Madison Square Garden, a crowd watching on a big screen roared as the Knicks rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Spurs in San Antonio in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Soon after, tens of thousands of people filled the streets and the rowdiest among them were clashing with police; smashing windshields; scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue; climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square; and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.

After several dozen arrests throughout the playoffs and violence after Games 3 and 4 in New York that left officers injured and a teen in a coma, police girded for unrest as Saturday bled into Sunday.

Knicks owner James Dolan, speaking in San Antonio after the game, urged fans to stay calm.

“We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they’re celebrating, we want them to have a great time," said Dolan, interrupting guard Josh Hart’s news conference. “Please be safe. Don’t get hurt, don’t hurt anybody.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.