Knicks parade expected to draw record crowds, NYPD on alert

U.S. newsKnicks parade expected to draw record crowds, NYPD on alertOne concern for law enforcement is a possible lone actor viewing the parade as a “high-priority target,” according to an NYPD assessment reviewed by NBC News. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Workers prepare for the forthcoming Knicks' NBA title parade and ceremony at City Hall in New York City on Monday.Matthew Chayes / Newsday via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 17, 2026, 5:52 PM EDTBy Tom Winter and Jonathan DienstThe New York Police Department has completed a security assessment for the New York Knicks victory parade and celebration Thursday, and one concern for law enforcement is a possible lone actor viewing the parade as a “high-priority target” given the “potentially historic” crowds expected to attend the event, according to the assessment shared with various law enforcement organizations and reviewed by NBC News. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Officials say there are no new or credible threats ahead of the ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan. Historically, these types of assessments are used by the nation’s largest police department to determine how many officers to deploy to an event; the NYPD is expected to send more than 10,000 members to the parade as it winds through the Wall Street corridor. They don’t indicate a threat is imminent. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he expects big crowds. “It may well be the largest parade in New York City history,” Mamdani said. The Knicks clinched the best-of-seven series 4-1 against the San Antonio Spurs to lift the trophy for the first time since 1973, sealing the deal in Game 5 two days after pulling off the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.They sealed the title at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, but over 1,500 miles away, in New York, celebrations erupted after the final buzzer.The NYPD assessment notes that the majority...