An NYPD police officer was beaten and 26 people were arrested outside Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan Friday night as thousands of fans celebrated the Knicks’ Game 2 squeaker victory over the San Antonio Spurs, officials said.
The woman officer was repeatedly punched as she tried to stop a female fan who refused to leave following the Knicks’ 105-104 win, jumped a barricade, and ran into a frozen area, officials said.
“The situation was pretty chaotic,” said one NYPD source with knowledge of the incident, adding that the attacked officer was “punched badly” in the face.
The fan, 29-year-old Karely Reyes, was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of government administration.
Cops said the attack left the 23-year-old officer bloodied and needing medical attention.
“A victory celebration shouldn’t end with blood pouring down a police officer’s face,” Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hendry said in a statement Saturday. “Our sister was just doing her job, trying to keep everyone safe in the pandemonium following the Knicks Game 2 win when an individual jumped over a barrier and punched her in the face hard enough to leave a bloody gash.”
Reyes, Hendry said, “bit another cop after being placed under arrest.”
“This is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” he said. “We will be in court to make sure this individual faces the consequences she deserves.”
An estimated 6,500 people showed up to attend the watch party outside MSG. Cops apprehended 26 people in total for a variety of offenses, from assault to selling counterfeit merchandise to climbing light poles, food vendor carts and subway entrances.
Cops found a loaded firearm on one of the people selling knock-off goods, a police spokeswoman said.
Out of the 26 arrested, 17 were criminally charged. Nine were released with criminal court summonses for disorderly conduct. One man was arrested for climbing a light pole before the game started, cops said.
Nine of the 17 people charged were given desk appearance tickets and sent home, police said.
Mayor Mamdani announced the watch party on Friday morning. A similar event outside MSG after Game 1 on Wednesday ended in eight arrests and thousands of dollars in damage as some revelers jumped on a passing ambulance.
An NYPD chief was punched in the face and a woman also accidentally set her hair on fire during the celebration, cops said.
Pens were put up for fans on W. 33rd St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves. on Friday. Two other watch parties were held in Manhattan, one inside Madison Square Garden and one in Central Park.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Friday that the NYPD would deploy 1,000 cops to secure the watch party area around MSG and ensure rabid fans didn’t get carried away during the game.
“Let me be very clear. We will have no tolerance for violence,” Tisch said, “particularly violence against police officers, destruction of property, climbing on light poles or structures, blocking emergency vehicles, or any other chaotic behavior that puts people at risk.”
“We want people to have fun,” Tisch said. “We want people to celebrate the Knicks, but do not be the one who ruins it for everyone else. Remember, cops are Knicks fans, too. They understand the energy. They understand the pride. They understand the excitement. And their goal is to help people watch and celebrate safely.”
Damaging property “or acting like the rules do not apply to them” is a “fast way to end the night badly,” Tisch warned.
“I’ll tell you now what I tell my teenage son,” the top cop added. “If you see a Spurs fan, do not engage. Back away. Believe me, after Game 1 they have been through enough pain and suffering.”
During an interview on 1010 WINS, Mamdani said City Hall authorized the watch party so that everyone can take part in the basketball excitement.
“This is part of the city wanting to be ready to ensure every New Yorker can enjoy themselves,” Mamdani said while warning rabid Knick fans to behave out there.
“As we want New Yorkers to be able to enjoy themselves, I would like to remind New Yorkers to not jump on any emergency vehicles or ambulances, or to block their passage,” Mamdani said.
It’s the first time the Knicks have been in the finals in 27 years. More than a week ago, the NYPD recommended against the watch parties, after ones during the NBA Eastern Conference finals drew huge crowds and were marred by multiple arrests.
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