NBA Finals Game 3 watch party outside MSG canceled with Trump expected

A planned watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals outside Madison Square Garden has been canceled.

More than two dozen people were arrested at a similar party last Friday during Game 2 of the series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. But now, with President Donald Trump and NYC mayor Zohran Mandami planning to be in attendance as the series moves to New York, security is on heightened alert.

The Knicks are making their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1999, and fans have enthusiastically embraced the team’s title run. After nearly 7,000 fans showed up at Madison Square Garden to watch New York’s 105-104 victory in San Antonio, authorities said 26 people were detained, with 17 arrested and charged.

New York Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, and are seeking their first championship since defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973.

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New York Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, and are seeking their first championship since defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973.

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The New York Police Department said it had more than 1,000 officers on patrol at the MSG watch party. And police commissioner Jessica Tisch has expressed concern about the force being stretched thin with the World Cup also coming to the area.

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The Knicks have told fans with tickets to Game 3 on Monday night to arrive two hours early to account for security wait times with Trump and Mamdani planning to attend.

An NYPD spokeswoman told The Athletic the decision to cancel Monday’s watch party was made in coordination with the Secret Service, which will provide security for President Trump during his visit.

Other watch parties around the area are expected to continue as planned.