New York Knicks celebration turns into chaos with multiple arrests and bus burnings
The Knicks’ spontaneous NBA championship celebration in New York quickly descended into chaos, with Chanley Painter reporting multiple arrests, stabbings and five school buses being set on fire. The NYPD deployed riot gear and police horses to control escalating unrest following the historic victory.
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Zohran Mamdani got a taste of what it means to be champion on Sunday.
The mayor of New York marched with 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 from New York, participated in a local Puerto Rican parade, and the mayor joined him for some fun.
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Jose Alvarado of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 13, 2026. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Alvarado spent most of his time on the float shirtless and partying, which was completely understandable the day after a championship.
Video captured during the parade showed Alvarado rapping Jadakiss’ verse from Ja Rule’s 2004 hit, “New York,” while Mamdani also sang a few lyrics from the comeback song that was revitalized as a Knicks anthem.
Alvarado’s Knicks teammate Jordan Clarkson was also spotted on the float.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends the 69th annual National Puerto Rican Day parade in New York on June 14, 2026. (NDZ Images/Star Max/GC)
THE ATHLETIC CELEBRATES “ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S SPORTS SUMMER” IN A CONFUSING WAY AFTER THE NEW YORK KNICKS’ VICTORY IN THE NBA FINALS
Alvarado went to Christ the King High School in Queens and is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent; he represents Puerto Rico on the international stage.
He was traded to the Knicks by the New Orleans Pelicans as a minor, but impactful, move for the Knicks’ title run. He played most of the fourth quarter during the team’s 29-point comeback in Game 4.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends the Puerto Rican parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on June 14, 2026. (José Pérez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
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The entire Knicks team will be on floats for their championship parade on Thursday. They clinched the title with a 94-90 Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs, once again coming within double digits…twice.
