Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks will be held on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Game 3 was overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s attendance, which led to heightened security, including a restricted zone around the Garden and the cancellation of the watch party outside of the arena.
Advertisement
Now, even though the president isn’t expected to attend Wednesday night’s game, heightened security remains in place. The NYPD announced that starting at 4 p.m. ET, they will once again enforce a secure zone around Madison Square Garden, spanning West 29th St. to West 35th between Sixth and Eighth avenues, with screenings in place.
However, the watch party at Madison Square Garden will return after its absence on Monday night as an approved ticketed event, per New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Not everyone is happy about the continued enforcement of increased security measures.
Madison Square Garden Sports released an official statement opposing the additional security efforts, which was shared by SNYtv reporter Ian Begley, blaming the heightened security on Mamdani and police commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Advertisement
Play 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world’s biggest soccer tournament
The memo is titled “Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch are New York City’s Biggest Party Poopers.”
In the memo, MSG Sports called for the lifting of those restrictions, including the security screenings, saying that clearly the mayor and police commissioner “don’t want to see these celebrations happen.”
The statement specifically called out the fact that extra security measures remained in place, despite the fact that President Trump will not be in attendance. The memo reads, “We now know these restrictions were never about the President — it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate.”
Advertisement
Even without the president in attendance, there are still plenty of concerns to warrant additional safety measures. There were 21 arrests after Game 3, following several fights that broke out at a watch party in Bryant Park. Other fights of Knicks fans ganging up and fighting visiting Spurs fans also hit social media.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was one of several NBA Finals players to condemn the violence after the game, saying, “We can’t forget it’s a game. We’re just playing a game out there. And I am all for passion, but, to the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”
The Knicks have a 2-1 series lead but lost Game 3 on their home court, ending a 13-game playoff win streak. New York cannot clinch the series Wednesday night, but can take a 3-1 lead into San Antonio with a victory, which would put them just one win away from the Knicks’ first NBA championship since 1973.
