Teen shot and buses torched in Manhattan after historic NBA win for Knicks

[Reuters]A teenager was shot and buses destroyed during chaotic scenes in New York City that marred jubilant celebrations for the Knicks' historic NBA championship win.

>The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in game five on Saturday to clinch the title for the first time in more than half a century.

>The game was in Texas, but New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to toast the milestone for fans and the city.

>As crowds swelled into the early hours, gunfire rang out near Times Square, a 17-year-old was wounded and school buses that had transported World Cup fans were torched. It is unclear if anyone was hurt in that incident.

Knicks end 53-year wait for NBA ChampionshipKnicks owner James Dolan had called for restraint following his team's victory against the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night.

>"We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they're celebrating, we want them to have a great time," said Dolan, interrupting Knicks player Josh Hart's news conference. "Please be safe. Don't get hurt, don't hurt anybody."

>But celebrations turned violent as fans spilling out of bars and viewing parties clashed with officers in Midtown Manhattan.

>In a statement to the BBC, the NYPD said crowds became "increasingly destructive" with "many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behaviour".

>Five yellow school buses were set alight or destroyed with bats and people jumping on them, the force said.

>They had been used to shuttle World Cup football fans back to Times Square following a match between Brazil and Morocco.

>Revellers were photographed swarming and climbing on to the roofs of the buses, with some also getting inside the vehicles and posing for photos.

>Bystanders gathered around one of the buses, some taking pictures and videos, as it was engulfed in flames.

[Getty Images][Getty Images]Police cars were also targeted, the NYPD said, with some people using bats to damage them and jumping on top of them, shattering windshields.

>Gunshots were reported near 42nd Street and Broadway at around 02:00 EDT (06:00 GMT) on Sunday, prompting people to run for cover.

>A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot, officials said. Preliminary reports indicated no fatalities.

>The victim was transported to hospital in an NYPD vehicle as an ambulance couldn't access 43rd Street because of the crowds, police said.

>Three people of interest were taken into custody and a firearm recovered from the scene.

>Police said other disorder included four slashings/stabbings, destruction of private vehicles, people lighting fireworks in large crowds, brawls and crowds refusing to disperse.

>Sixty-three people were arrested, the NYPD said.

>Charges included assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.

[Reuters][Reuters]A large number of police officers were deployed in Manhattan, including some on horseback, who were tasked with dispersing crowds later in the night.

>Some of those out on the streets threw objects, including street cones and bottles, at police officers.

>Ten police officers were injured overnight, the force said, including one member of the NYPD who was punched in the face and another who was struck with a glass bottle.

>Earlier a party atmosphere had taken hold across the city.

>Emergency service workers shouted "Let's go Knicks" through loudspeakers, while strangers hugged and shook hands, and drivers honked their horns.

>"Oh my God. It's like New Year's Eve times ⁠20," Carol Marino, who had watched the game in a bar, told Reuters news agency.

>"I'm so overwhelmed. I'm so happy," added Mathieu Ogno, who spoke to the Associated Press news agency at a watch party in Central Park following the Knicks' win.

>Official celebrations will take place in the city on Thursday with a parade and a city hall ceremony, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office announced.

[Getty Images][Getty Images][Getty Images]The US sporting triumph that is overshadowing the World Cup