<p>The NYPD <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nypd-lifts-ban-knicks-watch-parties-outside-msg-game-1-nba-finals-fans-rowdy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reversed its ban on</a> New York Knicks watch parties for the NBA Finals, but after Game 2, it may be regretting that decision.</p><p>Fans got so rowdy during the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals run that the NYPD put a stop to watch parties outside Madison Square Garden. But when the Knicks clinched their first <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nba-playoffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA Finals</a> appearance since 1999, the department said the party was back on.</p><p>The Knicks will come home with a 2-0 series lead on Monday, but Game 2's victory, the biggest for the Knicks in a generation, brought about unruly behavior outside the Garden.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM</strong></a></p><p>After the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/knicks-survive-take-2-0-nba-finals-lead-jalen-brunsons-clutch-shot-sinks-spurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knicks' 105-104 victory over</a> the San Antonio Spurs, ABC7 reported that 17 people were arrested, including one on charges of allegedly striking a police officer and injuring him.</p><p>Police said fans became "increasingly disorderly" as the game went on, <a href="https://abc7ny.com/post/knicks-game-2-win-nypd-reports-23-arrests-outside-madison-square-garden/19245702/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">the outlet reported.</a></p><p>The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/knicks-karl-anthony-towns-praises-nypd-amid-rowdy-watch-parties-nba-finals-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KNICKS' KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS PRAISES NYPD AMID ROWDY WATCH PARTIES DURING NBA FINALS RUN</strong></a></p><p>One person accused of selling counterfeit merchandise was also charged with possessing a loaded firearm.</p><p>The department said fans stopped traffic on Seventh and Eighth avenues between 31st and 35th streets and climbed on light poles, subway entrances and food vendor carts.</p><p>Madison Square Garden also hosted watch parties inside the arena for each of the first two Finals games.</p><p>The Spurs fought back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, but with the game tied at 104, Victor Wembanyama threw a pass off an unaware teammate's back and Jalen Brunson stole the ball. Brunson was fouled and hit one of two free throws to take the lead. Wembanyama then took a potential game-winning shot but missed the mark.</p><p>Game 3 will be Monday night in New York, with President <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> slated to attend.</p><p><i><strong>Follow Fox News Digital’s </strong></i><a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNewsSports_" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i><strong>sports coverage on X</strong></i></a><i><strong>, and subscribe to </strong></i><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i><strong>the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter</strong></i></a><i><strong>.</strong></i></p>
