New York Knicks fans can cheer on their beloved team pretty much anywhere in the city’s five boroughs on Monday night — except outside of Madison Square Garden.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.A watch party outside of the team’s home court has been canceled for Game 3 of the NBA Finals due to the planned attendance of President Donald Trump.A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that the decision was made in coordination with the Secret Service.“There will be watch parties at other locations,” the department said.
“We are currently determining where they will be.”Trump told reporters last month after the Knicks advanced to the Finals — the first time since 1999 — that he had been invited to attend their home games.00:40Trump says he may attend Knicks' NBA Finals game00:0000:00“Great to see it,” Trump said.“The Knicks have really, they’ve really suffered for years.”The team’s official social media accounts announced a series of additional security measures for fans attending the game.
Fans were asked to limit personal items as a strict no-bag policy will be enforced alongside a TSA-style screening procedure.Fans were also advised to arrive at least two hours before tipoff on Monday and to review the Secret Service’s list of prohibited items before entering the arena.Some of the Knicks’ most high-profile players were asked during Sunday’s media availability how they feel about Trump’s attendance at the game.Karl-Anthony Towns sidestepped the question by focusing on the fans who “earned the right” to see a championship series at home.“I talked about the word hope.
Hope has been brought back to the city, but the word success hasn’t been seen,” Towns said.“We have to fight to bring that word back to fruition.”OG Anunoby, who was born in England but raised in the United States, said the president’s presence shouldn’t change...