Teen beaten into coma near Madison Square Garden during Game 4 of NBA Finals

The NYPD is searching for a man who allegedly beat a 17-year-old into a coma Wednesday night in Midtown Manhattan after the New York Knicks game.

What started as "a verbal dispute" regarding the Knicks began about 11:45 p.m., when the teen was approached by a group of unidentified individuals in front of 237 W. 35th St., the NYPD said in a news release. The situation "escalated" and an unidentified number of individuals "proceeded to punch and kick the victim about the head and body," police said.

The attack, which police described as "a gang assault" took place two blocks north of Madison Square Garden after the Knicks wrapped up their historic comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

The teen, who police have not identified, suffered a seizure before he slipped into a coma. He was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue in "critical but stable condition," police said. The attackers fled the scene on foot.

Police ask anyone with information regarding the attack to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish speakers can dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted through the department's Crime Stoppers website.