Felony assaults in New York City increased significantly during nights when the New York Knicks played in the NBA Finals this year, despite an overall decline in citywide crime, according to a new study. The research, based on data from the first half of 2026, found that felony assaults rose by more than 31% on game nights, particularly in Manhattan, where Madison Square Garden is located.

The Knicks’ run to their first NBA championship in 53 years captivated the city over a five-game series against the San Antonio Spurs. One highlight included an extraordinary comeback in Game 4, when the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit, clinching victory with a decisive tip-in by forward OG Anunoby. Despite this enthusiasm, the study revealed a complex pattern in crime activity associated with the games.

While overall crime complaints decreased by 11.1% compared to normal levels at 9 p.m. on game nights, those numbers surged 38.7% above average by 1 a.m., coinciding with the conclusion of the games and post-game celebrations. Researchers described the phenomenon as a shift from lower activity during the viewing periods to heightened incidents as fans left bars and gathered in streets.

The study used the Finals as a natural experiment to explore trends in violent crime. It noted that, outside of felony assault and rape, major crimes continued to decline across the city through the pandemic recovery period. The persistent rise in felony assaults — which showed a spike of approximately 12 additional incidents per night on Finals dates — contrasted with the broader downward trend in other violent offenses.

Notably, the outcome of the game appeared to have little impact on the assault increases, suggesting that the heightened violence was linked more to the event itself and associated festivities than to specific emotional responses to wins or losses. The concentration of assaults in Manhattan underlined the role of venues like Madison Square Garden, as well as outdoor watch parties and nearby bars, as focal points for the crime surge.

Overall, the findings highlight the challenges of maintaining public safety during major sporting events, even amid general improvements in urban crime rates. The study underscores that while watching basketball may correlate with lower immediate crime rates during game time, the period following games presents increased risks of violent incidents as crowds disperse.