Multiple Arrests Occur Outside New York City NBA Finals

In an incident outside Madison Square Garden, the NYPD took several fans into custody on Wednesday evening as tensions flared during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. An AFP photographer captured the moments as the situation escalated in Midtown Manhattan.

Law enforcement deployed stun grenades in an effort to break up the crowds that had gathered to witness the thrilling game, where the Knicks staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 3-1 lead in the championship series. At least four individuals were arrested amid the chaos outside the iconic venue.

In anticipation of potential disorder, authorities had prohibited public screenings of the game in the vicinity of the arena earlier in the day. The area around Madison Square Garden was heavily policed to ensure safety during the high-stakes matchup.

The previous game in the series had also seen unrest, with 21 arrests made on Monday night, eight of which resulted in charges while others received fines. Four police officers sustained injuries during that event, which was deemed "unacceptable" by Spurs' player Victor Wembanyama.