Due to increased security with President Donald Trump set to be in attendance, there will be no watch party outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, the New York Police Department announced Sunday afternoon.
The New York Knicks are bringing a 2-0 lead back to New York after winning each of the first two Finals games on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. They’ve won 13 straight postseason games dating back to their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, the second-longest such streak in NBA history.
Crowds of people gathering outside the arena to watch road games — which New York has won eight straight of in this run — on a large screen outside MSG have become a staple.
More than two dozen people were arrested in the aftermath of Friday’s Game 2 watch party, including one woman who punched an NYPD officer in the face, according to the department.
MSG released a statement to media outlets which seemed to indicate the decision did not stem from Trump’s attendance of the game.
“The permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the city’s permitting office in consultation with the NYPD,” the statement read. “However, the White House will confirm that this is not about the president. We understand NYPD Commissioner (Jessica) Tisch is planning additional street closures around Madison Square Garden.”
The NYPD, though, pointed to the visit as the reason, leaving the door open for there to potentially be a watch party for Wednesday’s Game 4, which would be a clinching opportunity should the Knicks win on Monday night.
“There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only,” the statement read. “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.”
For Game 3, the team will host watch parties at Wollman Rink at Central Park and at Brooklyn Bowl, according to the team’s website. Those watch parties required registration in advance and had reached capacity as of Sunday.
