New York waited 53 years for a Knicks championship. Twitch streamer Nina Lin was arrested near Madison Square Garden on June 13 after footage showed her climbing onto police said was an Amazon vehicle during the city’s postgame celebrations. Not exactly the keepsake most people aim for after a title win.
The arrest came as crowds filled streets around Madison Square Garden and other parts of New York City after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The win gave the franchise its first NBA title since 1973 and ended one of the longest-running droughts in New York sports.
What footage showed near Madison Square Garden
Video posted online by FreedomNewsTV, along with footage from Lin’s own livestream, Video posted online by FreedomNewsTV, along with footage from Lin’s own livestream, showed New York Police Department officers detaining her after she climbed onto the vehicle near the arena.
According to the clip description from FreedomNewsTV, police had been trying to move crowds away from the Madison Square Garden area. Barricades were reportedly set up across several streets to keep large groups from gathering outside official or designated watch party zones.
Other clips shared on social media claimed Lin climbed onto the vehicle as fans chanted “Knicks in 5.” The slogan had become part of the night’s celebration after New York closed out the Finals in five games.
At the time of writing, it remains unclear what charge Lin faces, if any, in connection with the incident.
Why Nina Lin was already a familiar name online
Lin is known as an IRL streamer, a format built around livestreaming in public places rather than from a desk or studio. That kind of content can make a streamer feel unusually close to viewers, but it also leaves very little room between “spontaneous” and “now the police are involved.”
She has also drawn controversy before. In October 2025, Lin and fellow streamer Zoe Spencer were banned from Twitch after a resurfaced clip prompted widespread backlash. Viewers accused the pair of inappropriate, non-consensual behavior toward Said, the assistant of FaZe Silky.
The incident sparked a wider discussion about Twitch moderation and how the platform handles streamers whose public behavior becomes part of their content. Lin’s arrest during the Knicks celebrations has now put that scrutiny back on her, this time against the backdrop of a citywide sports party.
Knicks win turns into a citywide scene
The night itself was historic for the Knicks and their fans. New York’s 94-90 win over San Antonio sealed the Finals and set off celebrations across Manhattan, especially around Madison Square Garden, the team’s home arena.
Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP after scoring 45 points in the title-clinching game, giving fans a performance that will likely be replayed for years without needing much editing help.
After the final whistle, crowds poured into the streets while the city began preparing for a championship parade in Manhattan on Thursday. For most fans, the evening was a long-delayed release after decades of waiting. For Lin, it became another livestreamed public incident, now tied to one of the biggest nights in recent New York sports history.
