Multiple Knicks fans were arrested Wednesday night as they celebrated their team’s thrilling NBA Finals Game 1 victory at Madison Square Garden’s first outdoor watch party in weeks.

A massive crowd of Knicks supporters filled the streets surrounding the Garden, cheering the team’s 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Hundreds of police officers monitored the scene, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani was seen waving from a passing black SUV, according to social media footage.

The outdoor watch parties had been canceled for several weeks after the city revoked permits due to concerns over unruly fan behavior. Wednesday night’s event served as a test of conduct for Knicks fans, as the city is now issuing permits on a game-by-game basis.

While the crowd was loud and energetic, it remained largely peaceful. Fans waved flags, chanted, jumped, crowd-surfed, and sat on each other’s shoulders behind NYPD barricades.

A small group of rowdy individuals who climbed street poles and vehicles accounted for most of the arrests. At least four fans were taken into custody, according to law enforcement sources. As officers handcuffed the offenders, the crowd chanted “Let them go! Let them go!” The New York Post observed.

Early Thursday, the NYPD had not yet confirmed the exact number of arrests or the specific charges.

The city’s Street Activity Permit Office had previously halted the outdoor watch parties ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, citing excessive chaos caused by fans in Midtown.

The events were revived after discussions between the mayor’s office and Madison Square Garden, though the NYPD was not involved in those talks. The city will continue issuing permits on a game-by-game basis only, a spokesperson said.

Fans described the watch party as a welcome outlet for New Yorkers excited about the Knicks reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

“I’m very happy right now that they brought back the watch parties. I feel like it’s a W for the Knicks fans. We should all be united,” said Christian Cabrera, a 25-year-old content creator.

“I know we get a little bit rowdy. We do get chaotic, but we’re just doing this because we love the Knicks. We want to see our team win. We want to see the city win, and we’re just here for it. Let’s go!”

Others urged fans to celebrate responsibly.

“I think they should still keep the watch parties. It’s a way for us to celebrate our team, and it’s good for New York culture,” said Daniel Tejada, a 21-year-old from the Bronx.

“It’s nice that we party outside on the street, but it’s not nice when you start climbing stuff, start destroying things. It’s not good. It doesn’t look good to us New Yorkers, and it’s just bad for the environment.”

Toni Palazzo, 55, was smoking a cigar while waiting for the train after work when police directed him to move to 34th Street.

“I was 29 years old the last time they made it to the finals. Now I’m 55, so it’s been a long time,” he said. “And I’m enjoying it. It’s a very likable team. And I definitely think they’re going to win the championship.”

“If they’re doing something wrong, they should get arrested, but I don’t think they should get arrested if they’re just having fun.”