After 27 years, New York Knicks fans will finally get an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden. This time, security will be significantly stricter.
President Donald Trump, a New Yorker, plans to attend Game 3 between the Knicks and Spurs at Madison Square Garden, making him the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. Invited by team owner James Dolan, Trump's ties to the franchise date to 1975. He has also attended events such as the 2025 Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, and the Ryder Cup.
Monday's NBA Finals game will be unique due to the presence of the president, with strict security including a no-bag policy, TSA-style screening, and a two-hour early arrival. Hundreds of Secret Service and thousands of NYPD officers will secure the area, with a hard closure around the Garden and nearby streets.
The most significant change involves the watch parties. On Sunday, the NYPD, in coordination with the Secret Service, said there would be no official gathering outside Madison Square Garden for Game 3, with the restriction applying only to that night. Watch parties are expected to resume for Game 4 on Wednesday, when the Knicks could clinch the title depending on Game 3's result.
Security perimeter has been installed ahead of Game 3 of NBA Finals at MSG pic.twitter.com/ARC6vnYUq1
— TickPick (@TickPick) June 8, 2026
Safety Concerns Arise
Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's New York field office, acknowledged that fans would be disappointed but said the priority was ensuring the highest level of public safety. The department said the outdoor gatherings could not be accommodated so close to the arena, given the security demands of an event on this scale.
The city gained media attention for incidents during large street gatherings even before Trump's visit was announced. After Friday's watch party, which became chaotic following San Antonio's Game 2 victory, 17 of 26 individuals were arrested, while the other nine received court summonses and were released. Originally, the city intended to cancel outdoor Finals events due to disorderly behavior, but later reversed its decision and granted a permit for Game 1.
Mayor Mamdani Offers Options
Fans still have options despite the situation: the Knicks organize watch parties at Wollman Rink and Brooklyn Bowl. However, both venues require registration and were already full by Sunday. Given this, it's understandable to ask: Do Knicks fans deserve more than a locked-down Garden and canceled street celebrations after waiting so long for the team to reach this stage?
On Monday morning, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the city would host a free watch party for up to 5,000 fans in Bryant Park.
The @nyknicks are home and our city is ready to show out.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) June 8, 2026
We’re hosting a free watch party for 5,000 New Yorkers tonight in Bryant Park.
You can register at the link below starting at noon today: https://t.co/Te8eGk5TwW
Security during a presidential visit surpasses the control of the league, team, or city, leaving few options once the Secret Service takes over. The arrests on Friday justified heightened security measures, regardless of who the attendees were, helping leadership easily defend these precautions.
This night was for the fans, as the Knicks secured a 13-game playoff streak with sweeps of the 76ers and Cavaliers, marking the second-longest postseason run in franchise history, after the 2016-17 Warriors. Since 1999, this arena hasn't hosted a Finals game, so Game 3 means more than the result. The fans, who filled the streets, truly earned the celebration.
In 1999, the Knicks lost the first two games in San Antonio, won Game 3 at home, and ultimately lost the series in five games. This year, they lead 2-0 and have an opportunity to clinch the title on their home court in the coming days.
If the Knicks maintain their lead, Monday will mark their first chance in the Finals since 1999 to be one win away from the title, with their home crowd behind them. The celebration, long-awaited by fans, will take place within a security perimeter and will be influenced more by the visiting team than by the home team.
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