Multiple arrests made at Knicks watch party outside MSG after NBA Finals Game 2, NYPD says

Multiple people were arrested outside Madison Square Garden during the Knicks watch party for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday, the New York Police Department said.

The NYPD said Saturday that some of the rowdiest fans in the crowd of about 6,500 started climbing on light poles, food carts and subway entrances after the Knicks took a 2-0 series lead against the Spurs in San Antonio. 

The crowd around the Garden also blocked traffic along Seventh and Eighth Avenues from 31st to 35th Streets, and multiple people refused to comply with police orders, the NYPD said.

Officer punched

One woman – identified as 29-year-old Karely Reyes, of Queens – was charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration for allegedly punching a police officer.

Reyes jumped a barricade into a restricted zone, and when an officer attempted to remove her, she punched the officer in the face, then bit a second officer who intervened, the Police Benevolent Association said.

The officer who was punched suffered injuries that required stitches, and she is now recovering, the PBA said.

"This is a blatant, vile attack on a New York City police officer," PBA President Patrick Hendry said. "She has headaches, pain."

Reyes, who does not have a criminal record, was arraigned Saturday and released without bail. She is due back in court in July.

"These police officers and all the police officers were out last night outside Madison Square Garden protecting the people of this city," Hendry said. "People showing up, causing chaos, assaulting police officers, committing crimes, it's sending a bad message to everyone, and it will not be tolerated."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani released the following statement in response to the assault:

"The assault on an NYPD officer outside Madison Square Garden last night was unacceptable. New Yorkers are rightfully excited about the Knicks' historic Finals run, and we want fans to celebrate this moment together. There is, however, no place for violence, and no tolerance for attacks on police officers. Thank you to the officers who worked to keep fans safe throughout the night, and we wish the injured officer a speedy recovery. The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers celebrated responsibly, and I urge everyone to continue doing so as the Finals return to New York."

Others were arrested for allegedly selling counterfeit merchandise, including one person who had a loaded firearm, the NYPD said.

Twenty-six individuals were taken into custody in all, police said. Seventeen of them were arrested and charged, and nine were released with court summonses for disorderly conduct.

Knicks returning to NYC

Hendry said concerns over these watch parties were mounting well before Friday.

"If they're going to have these going forward, it needs to be with the safety of our police officers and the public first," he said.

With the NBA Finals now shifting to New York, officials were planning for no watch parties outside MSG for Game 3 on Monday due to heightened security for President Trump, who is expected to be at the game.

Police sources, however, told CBS News New York the NYPD was still consulting with the Secret Service about whether to permit an outdoor watch party and that the decision was up in the air. 

Mamdani is also expected to attend Game 3. He said he'll be sitting in "a very different section" from the president.

The Knicks will host Game 4 on Wednesday and, if necessary, the series will go back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday.