The Brief A massive crowd gathered at Bryant Park for a Game Three watch party, but the event devolved into chaos immediately after the game. The crowd caused significant property damage and escalated the violence by throwing bottles at responding officers. Police deployed pepper spray and riot gear to disperse the crowd and made multiple arrests.



What started as a massive gathering at Bryant Park to watch the Knicks in Game 3 ended in complete chaos, resulting in property damage, multiple arrests and police deploying pepper spray on unruly crowds.

What we know:

Following the conclusion of the game, thousands of fans took over the streets in and around Bryant Park.

Video footage from the scene shows a group of young men targeting a bus stop pole, kicking and shaking it until the metal sign detached and flew off. A bystander attempted to intervene and calm the crowd, shouting,  It's our city!  which resulted in a physical altercation.

Fights continued to break out left and right among the massive crowd, with some individuals even wielding the detached metal bus sign as a weapon.

Arrests made

Dig deeper:

Officers arrived nearly five minutes into the escalating situation and attempted to control the crowd. The unrest intensified when fans began tossing bottles at the police. In response, an officer deployed pepper spray, and police made multiple arrests amid the thrown punches and kicks.

The chaos spilled further into the streets, halting traffic, with one man jumping onto the hood of a taxi as the driver attempted to navigate through the surrounding mob.

The vandalism extended to law enforcement property as the crowds climbed on top of a police cruiser, leaving it dented and damaged all around.

Eventually, officers in riot gear were deployed, slowly pushing the crowds toward Fifth Avenue to disperse the gathering.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not yet released the exact number of arrests or the specific charges stemming from Monday night's unrest.

Game 4

What's next:

With Game Four scheduled for Wednesday, questions are swirling about the future of the event.

#fox5ny   #crimewatchnewyork