NYC Knicks celebration devolves into chaos with multiple arrests, bus fires
New York City’s impromptu NBA championship celebration for the Knicks quickly descended into chaos, with Chanley Painter reporting multiple arrests, stabbings and five school buses being set on fire. The NYPD deployed riot police and police horses to control the escalating unrest following the historic victory.
NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Zohran Mamdani got a taste of what it’s like to be a champion on Sunday.
The mayor of New York paraded an NBA champion in New York less than 24 hours after his hometown Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973.
After flying overnight from San Antonio back to the Big Apple, Jose Alvarado, also a native New Yorker, participated in a local Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the mayor joined him in the fun.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Jose Alvarado of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game Five of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 13, 2026. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Alvarado spent most of his time on the float shirtless and partying, which was completely understandable in the wake of a championship.
A video taken from the parade showed Alvarado rapping Jadakiss’ verse from Ja Rule’s 2004 hit, “New York,” while Mamdani also sang some words from the throwback song that has been revitalized as a Knicks anthem.
Alvarado’s Knicks teammate Jordan Clarkson was also seen on the float.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani participates in the 69th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on June 14, 2026. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)
ATHLETE CELEBRATES REMAINING ‘ZOHRAN MAMDANI SPORTS SUMMER’ AFTER NEW YORK KNICKS WIN NBA FINAL
Alvarado attended Christ the King High School in Queens and is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent; he represents Puerto Rico in international play.
He was traded to the Knicks from the New Orleans Pelicans as a minor, yet impactful, move to the Knicks’ title run. He played the majority of the fourth quarter in the team’s 29-point comeback in Game 4.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on June 14, 2026. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The entire Knicks team will be on the float for their championship parade on Thursday. They won the title with a 94-90 Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, coming back from double digits again … twice.
