Knicks Call Off Game 3 Watch Party Amid Security Concerns

The New York Knicks have decided to cancel the much-anticipated watch party outside Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, a decision that comes as former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the game on Monday. This popular gathering, which typically draws large crowds of enthusiastic fans, will not take place due to security measures surrounding the event.

According to CBSNews.com, a comprehensive security lockdown is planned for the area around Madison Square Garden, leading to the denial of permits for watch parties, restricted vehicle access, and limited pedestrian movement in this heavily trafficked section of Midtown Manhattan. The Seventh and Eighth Avenue corridors are also slated to be closed off.

A representative from Madison Square Garden clarified to NJ Advance Media that the cancellation of the watch party “is not about the President” attending the game. The spokesperson explained, “The permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the City’s permitting office in consultation with the NYPD.” They further emphasized that the NYPD is organizing additional street closures in anticipation of the event.

Ticket prices for the game have surged, surpassing even those of the recent Super Bowl, making attendance financially prohibitive for many fans. This decision to cancel the watch party sparked immediate backlash on social media, with one critic stating, “This is a very poor decision from the Knicks PR,” highlighting the unfairness of restricting access to fans who cannot afford high ticket prices. Another fan lamented, “Knicks fans waited 50 years for them to not even be able to afford to get in or even have a watch party.”

Additionally, the Knicks have implemented strict entry protocols, including a ban on bags and a recommendation for fans to arrive at least two hours before the game for TSA screening. Last September, Trump’s attendance at the U.S. Open led to significant delays and longer security lines, raising concerns about potential complications during the game.