New York Knicks fans celebrate NBA Finals win after defeating San Antonio Spurs in 5 games

The Knicks are back home for the first time as world champions after their plane landed at Westchester County Airport. 

Westchester County Police shared pictures of the the team's arrival Sunday morning on social media. 

"We wear the WCPD blue and orange with pride every day, but they were especially the right colors for today! Our Airport Precinct officers and Airport Operations staff were on hand to welcome the NBA champion New York Knicks back home at Westchester County Airport," the post said. "Congrats to the Knicks for a thrilling playoff run and for bringing the title home to New York!"

The NYPD said 63 people were arrested as crowds turned increasingly violent during the celebration in Midtown Manhattan. Officials estimate the crowds grew to tens of thousands of people north of MSG between Fifth Avenue and Ninth. 

Large fight broke out, people set off fireworks, climbed on light poles and scaffolding, and blocked traffic for hours, police said. Ten NYPD members were injured in the chaos. 

People in the crowd took bats to five NYPD vehicles and jumped on them, shattering front and back windows, officials said. A number of personal vehicles were also destroyed. 

Police also responded to four slashings/stabbings in the area, officials said. 

Sanitation workers were out Sunday morning cleaning up trash, debris, food and shattered glass from vehicles that were vandalized in Times Square. 

The NYPD said numerous arrests were made as the night went on and the crowd stopped being peaceful. 

Dozens of people climbed onto a row of school buses that were used earlier to shuttle fans to the World Cup, then ripped of hoods, smashed windshields, and even lit one bus on fire. 

Officers in riot gear responded and ordered the crowd to disperse. 

Police were also investigating a shooting that occurred near Times Square at around 2 a.m. A 17-year-old was struck in the foot and three people were taken into custody, officials said.

Heavy crowds in Midtown Manhattan caused some subway changes early Sunday morning.

Trains on the 1/2/3 line were skipping 34th Street-Penn Station, Times Square-42nd Street and 59th Street-Columbus Circle in both directions at the request of the NYPD.

A and E trains were also skipping 34th Street-Penn Station, 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal and 59th Street-Columbus Circle in both directions.

D trains were also skipping 59th Street-Columbus Circle in both directions.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams attended a watch party at Radio City Music Hall with his daughter and was ecstatic after the win.

"This is so unbelievable. I'm a Knicks fan through and through. I've been through the worst and now we on top," he told CBS News New York's Adi Guajardo.

He added, "This Knicks team unites this city like no other team on the planet."

CBS News New York's Doug Williams caught up with Knicks greats John Starks and Walt "Clyde" Frazier following the team's 94-90 win over the Spurs in Game 5, which clinched New York's first NBA title in 53 years.

Starks, who helped the Knicks advance all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals back in 1994, spoke of the pure elation of what this team accomplished Saturday night, while Frazier, a member of the 1973 championship team who is largely considered the greatest Knick of them all, credited the fans for traveling with the team throughout its memorable postseason run.

Knicks fans across the city took to the streets to celebrate.

Photos show fans near Times Square climbing on top of cars and school buses.

Other photos and videos showed people climbing scaffolding, traffic lights and food carts near 32nd Street and Broadway, and a dumpster appeared to be on fire near 33rd Street and Broadway.

President Donald Trump congratulated the Knicks on Truth Social.

"Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball. Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he posted.

Many New York officials reacted to the Knicks' win on social media.

"KNICKS IN FIVE! What a team and what a season. To our world champion [Knicks]: you've made all New Yorkers so proud," Gov. Kathy Hochul posted.

"HISTORY," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote.

"We are New York. And we are absolutely unstoppable. LETS GO KNICKS!!!" New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin posted.

"CHAMPIONS!! Congratulations, [Knicks]!! New York is waiting for you to come home and celebrate with a parade!" New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote.

A ticker-tape parade will be held Thursday, June 18, in Manhattan followed by a City Hall ceremony, where the team will be awarded the Keys to the City.

It will be the Knicks' first ever ticker-tape parade.

"For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself," Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement. "New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it's time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong."

City Hall and municipal buildings will also be illuminated in blue and orange.

The Knickerbockers, who play in the Mecca of Basketball and the World's Most Famous Arena, are New York's team, and they finally brought home another championship.

Knicks fans might be waiting for someone to wake them up, but don't worry. This one is real, and it will last a lifetime. 

That's epic.

Read more.

Jalen Brunson was named MVP. He scored 45 points in Game 5, the most ever by a Knicks player in an NBA Finals game.

Jalen Brunson took over in the fourth quarter and guided the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973 with a 94-90 win over the Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.

Prince Harry was also among the celebrities in the crowd for Game 5. He was seen standing with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Harry did not appear to be sporting any Knicks or Spurs gear, so it's unclear which team he may be rooting for.

The Knicks just can't seem to overcome their shooting woes.

New York has made just 33% of its shots (23 of 70) and trails San Antonio 72-65 through three quarters in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns picked up his fourth foul early in the quarter and has thus far been a total nonfactor.

Game 4 hero OG Anunoby has just 7 points and is shooting 2-for-10 from the floor.

Actor, director and die-hard Knicks fan Ben Stiller was spotted sitting next to team owner James Dolan at Game 5.

He appeared to be recording videos or taking photos on his phone at many points throughout the game.

The entire city is cheering for the Knicks, even the Archdiocese of New York.

A video posted to X on Saturday morning shows a close-up of lit candles while a choir is heard singing "go New York, go New York, go." It ends with the Archdiocese of New York crest in blue and orange, accompanied by "Go Knicks!"

They captioned the post, "All set on this end. #Knicks #NYC #GoKnicks #YesWeHaveFavorites."

Karl-Anthony Towns struggled in the first half. Primarily guarded by the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Towns has just 2 points and three fouls.

The Knicks' bench, which has often sparked them during the playoffs, does not have a single point and is a combined 0-for-8 shooting from the field.

The Knicks finally started hitting open shots and played better defense in the second quarter, and trail the Spurs by just five points, 42-37, at the half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. 

New York shot 41% in the quarter (9-for-22).

Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks with 16 points on the strength of 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. After a slow start, Mikal Bridges has 8 points.

Dylan Harper leads the Spurs with 11 points, followed by Victor Wembanyama with 9, and Julian Champagnie, who played collegiately at St. John's, has 8.

The Empire State Building is shining in blue and orange with the Knicks logo rotating in the mast to cheer on the team for Game 5.

The Knicks started Game 5 of the NBA Finals with their lowest-scoring quarter of the entire season.

New York shot just 18% from the floor (4-for-22) and trail the Spurs 23-13 heading into the second quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges were a combined 0-for-8 from the floor

Jalen Brunson hit three of his six shots and leads the Knicks with 8 points.

A number of celebrities have been spotted sitting courtside to cheer on the Knicks throughout the NBA Finals, and Game 5 was no exception.

Among those who made the trip to San Antonio were actors Tracy Morgan, John Turturro and Giancarlo Esposito, along with filmmaker Spike Lee.

Actor Timothée Chalamet was also spotted arriving at Frost Bank Center.

CBS News New York has team coverage of the Knicks' push for their first NBA championship since 1973.

Doug Williams examines an attempt to keep Knicks fans out of Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, while Nick Caloway looks at what is turning into a very busy night at Madison Square Garden for several reasons. 

Saturday was a busy day for sports fans in the New York City area who were splitting their time between soccer and basketball as the first World Cup match in New Jersey kicked off just hours before tip-off for the Knicks.

"Both sports. We're seeing them back to back," Newark resident Leonardo Cruz said. "We're not gonna miss both games. It's really fun."

Some in Brooklyn's Little Haiti are facing the conundrum of overlapping games. Haiti takes on Scotland in Boston at 9 p.m., just half an hour after the Knicks game begins.

This is a special year for both Haiti and the Knicks; it's been 52 years since Haiti last made it to the World Cup, and it's been 53 years since the Knicks won the NBA title.

Fans were waiting on a long line to get inside the Central Park watch party at Wollman Rink on Saturday evening.

Some had been in line since late morning and still had a ways to go until they got in, but they said to be there to watch the Knicks try to seal the deal in Game 5 and win their first NBA championship in 53 years was well worth it.

"The Knicks being in the finals is not like a normal thing, so I want to be part of it. I'm super excited. Hopefully, we can take it home in 5 because I got a flight tomorrow at 8," fan Mark Salvador said.

Between the Knicks watch party outside, a concert inside, and soccer fans flocking to Penn Station to catch buses to the World Cup match out at MetLife Stadium, the situation outside Madison Square Garden has been chaotic for most of Saturday.

Though a ticket is required to attend the watch party, several thousand people have descended on the area hoping to get in.

Knicks fans told CBS News New York they just can't wait for 8:30 p.m. tipoff in San Antonio.

"I'm a little nervous because San Antonio came out hot last game. But we showed why we have New York pride, why they always fight back," Will Hauser said.

"Wemby ain't going to do anything tonight. Shout out to Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, whose jersey I have on right now. KAT, do your thing," a fan named Jamal G. said.

"Knicks in five. No other way. I don't see it going any other way. Knicks in five. Should have been four. Knicks in five, baby. Let's go!" Joey Salazar added.

Another fan said he couldn't wait to get out of Midtown and to his house in Queens so he could watch the game in peace.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is encouraging New Yorkers to "be responsible" as they attend Knicks watch parties Saturday night.

In a post on X, he wrote:

"NEW YORK: Tonight, Knicks fans across our city will come together at Plaza 33 outside MSG, Radio City Music Hall, and Wollman Rink to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals. My administration is proud to work with the Knicks to support these watch parties. 

As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city. 

Let's go Knicks."

Mamdani has condemned the violence and chaos that followed previous watch parties.

MSG Sports released a statement after some claimed the Spurs were revoking tickets bought by Knicks fans outside the San Antonio area. 

"Contrary to prior reporting, we've confirmed with Spurs ownership that they will not be revoking any tickets that Knicks fans have to tonight's game in San Antonio and all ticket holders will be allowed in to Frost Bank Arena. We look forward to tonight's game," the statement said. 

Even though the Knicks are on the road, the NYPD is again establishing a "frozen zone" around Madison Square Garden since there will be other events in the area. 

Soccer fans will be heading from Penn Station to the Brazil-Morocco match at MetLife Stadium, Knicks fans will be packing in for an outdoor watch party, and 5 Seconds of Summer has a concert at the Garden beginning at 8 p.m. 

The secure zone starts at 4 p.m. and runs from West 29th Street to West 35th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Eighth.

Everybody must be screened before entering.

According to the NYPD, screening sites are located at:

• Sixth Ave. at West 33rd St. 
• Sixth Ave. at West 32nd St. (only entry for FIFA ticketholders)
• Eighth Ave. at West 33rd St. (no entry for Knicks watch party)
• Eighth Ave. at West 30th St. (no entry for Knicks watch party)

NYPD says avoid the area "unless you are going to the concert at MSG, restaurant/bar, or traveling through the train station." 

The Knicks are hosting official watch parties for Game 5 on Saturday night at Radio City Music Hall, Wollman Rink in Central Park and in Plaza33 outside Madison Square Garden. 

A maximum of 3,000 fans will be permitted inside the NYPD's "frozen zone" for the watch party outside MSG, according to the team. 

Tickets or registration are required to attend all three events. 

Brooklyn Bowl and Battery Park City Authority announced free watch parties, among other bars and restaurants promoting their own events. 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced 130 LinkNYC kiosks in all five boroughs will stream the game live. 

The Knicks pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history in Game 4, erasing the Spurs' 29-point lead and taking a 3-1 series lead at Madison Square Garden. 

OG Anunoby tipped-in the game-winning shot with 1.2 second left after Jalen Brunson's three-point attempt hit the front of the rim, putting New York in front 107-106 and sending the Garden crowd into a frenzy.

The Knicks defeated the Spurs in Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, but the teams split the next two games in New York.

See below for recaps of the first four games and what the schedule looks like as the series continues. 

• Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95 -- Wednesday, June 3, in San Antonio, TX. 
• Game 2: Knicks 105, Spurs 104 -- Friday, June 5, in San Antonio, TX.
• Game 3: Knicks 111, Spurs 115 -- Monday, June 8 in New York, NY.
• Game 4: Knicks 107, Spurs 106 -- Wednesday, June 10 in New York, NY.
• Game 5: Knicks at Spurs, Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 6: Spurs at Knicks, Tuesday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) *if necessary
• Game 7: Knicks at Spurs, Friday, June 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) *if necessary