Teen shot, World Cup bus set ablaze during wild Knicks championship celebrations in New York

A World Cup shuttle bus was set ablaze and a teenager was shot in the foot as celebrations following the New York Knicks’ historic NBA Finals victory descended into chaos across Midtown Manhattan late Saturday night.

Thousands of jubilant fans flooded the streets after the Knicks clinched the championship, ending a 53-year title drought. Supporters packed bars, public viewing areas and city streets, setting off fireworks and smoke grenades while chanting “Knicks in five!” after the team sealed the series in the fifth game.

The victory marked New York’s first NBA title since 1973 and only its third championship appearance since losing in the 1994 and 1999 Finals.

World Cup buses targeted amid celebrations

At around 2 a.m., a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during celebrations in Times Square, according to New York police. Authorities said three persons of interest were taken into custody.

As crowds swelled, hundreds of mostly young revelers surrounded a convoy of approximately 15 shuttle buses that had been transporting fans from the FIFA World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a draw.

Witnesses said some people climbed onto bus roofs, entered vehicles and sat in drivers’ seats. One yellow school bus contracted by city authorities to transport soccer fans was set on fire, while at least three other buses sustained significant damage.

Fans were seen hauling a bicycle onto the roof of one bus, while Brazilian supporters joined Knicks fans atop another vehicle, waving national flags. Reuters witnesses also observed an injured man with a bloodied face moving through the crowd, though the cause of his injuries was unclear.

“They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is,” said Youssef Sabbr, a Canadian of Moroccan descent who had disembarked from one of the buses before it was surrounded.

“That’s what happens everywhere around the world when a team wins,” he added.

Police move in to restore order

After initially monitoring the situation, police eventually moved in to disperse crowds. Officers in riot gear chased groups of fans through the streets, while mounted police worked to clear roads around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ home arena.

“Oh my God. It’s like New Year’s Eve times twenty,” said Carol Marino, a New York real estate agent, after watching the game at a local bar.

Elsewhere, fans celebrated by beating drums, hugging strangers and climbing scaffolding, traffic lights and other structures throughout the city.

Longtime Knicks supporters Dean and Christina Smiros said they were thrilled to witness the team’s first championship of their lifetime.

“They have not won since before we were born,” Christina said.