The first NBA Finals game played at Madison Square Garden (MSG) since 1999 came with a massive security presence, as President Donald Trump will be attending the Game 3 matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.With Trump becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, everyone from media to fans looking to enter "The Garden" was told to arrive early as security protocols would be much more thorough than normal.Fox News Digital was among the media pool waiting around MSG, and can confirm the waits will likely be long with the enhanced security that involves Secret Service, TSA and likely more when fans will be allowed in the building.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMembers of the U.S.Secret Service walk the perimeter of a security fence outside Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on June 8, 2026, in New York City.
(Adam Gray/Getty Images)For media, who are allowed bags and equipment for work compared to fans who must comply with a strict no-bag policy on Monday night, Secret Service and TSA were being thorough with their checks upon entry.A walk through your standard metal detector was next and it was good to go.Fans could experience more when gates open two hours prior to the 8:30 p.m.
ET tip-off at MSG, but there are bound to be longer wait times as security and law enforcement personnel make sure to perform their duties to the highest standard.KNICKS CENTER MITCHELL ROBINSON SEEMS TO BE FIRED UP ABOUT PLAYING GAME 3 IN FRONT OF PRESIDENT TRUMPThe scene around the arena was a shock to Monday morning commuters, but made sense considering the circumstances.A security fence was put up around the arena, while NYPD announced vehicles and pedestrian traffic will be closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue at 4 p.m.Thus, no one without a ticket, credential or business inside the restricted ...