As the Knicks prepare to host the San Antonio Spurs for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night with a 2-0 series lead, thousands of ticketless fans hoping to pack the Plaza33 outdoor watch party just learned there will be no party at all.New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts to a call in the second quarter during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026.(Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)The NYPD claims the party is off due to security for President Donald Trump's visit and its massive Secret Service footprint.President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2026.
(Mandel Ngan/AFP)NYPD LIFTS BAN ON KNICKS WATCH PARTIES OUTSIDE MSG FOR GAME 1 OF NBA FINALS AFTER FANS WERE TOO ROWDYIn a battle of press releases obtained by Fox News Digital, the NYPD released this statement:"There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only.This was done fully in coordination with the Secret Service because of the presidential visit.
We expect watch parties at Madison Square Garden to resume for Game 4."MSG pushed back, saying the permit was denied by local city officials, not because Trump was attending.TRUMP EXPECTED TO ATTEND KNICKS-SPURS NBA FINALS GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN"The permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the City's permitting office in consultation with the NYPD," Madison Square Garden's statement read."However, the White House will confirm that this is not about the President.
We understand NYPD Commissioner Tisch is planning additional street closures around Madison Square Garden."City Hall and the NYPD point to Trump's appearance as the reason for the shutdown rather than take ownership of the additional street closures themselves.President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on his way to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on Friday.(Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images))Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani i...