The New York Knicks are two wins away from their first trip to an NBA Finals in 27 years. But the New York Police Department is shutting down the rowdy crowds celebrating outside.
For the past two games, fans were permitted to attend a watch party held outside of Madison Square Garden to join other throngs of blue-and-orange comrades for the occasion.
But the NYPD has seemingly had enough of the behavior of some fans and has denied Madison Square Garden’s permit to host the outdoor affair.
According to the New York Post, six people were arrested for their behavior during Game 2 of the series on Thursday evening as fans have started ‘progressively more problematic issues… so the NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium.’
While hosting the parties outside MSG seems to be off the table, for now, an NYPD spokesperson told the outlet that they will ‘continue to review requests to support parties at alternate sites’ such as Central Park’s outdoor amphitheater, Summer Stage.
The scenes outside the Garden have gone viral on social media for the jubilantly reckless behavior of Knicks fans desperate to see their team win their first title in 53 years.
Fans of the New York Knicks will no longer be allowed to party outside Madison Square Garden
The NYPD has revoked MSG’s permit to host outdoor watch parties for the upcoming Game 4
The NYPD recently made six arrests at the Game 2 party an estimated 6,000 fans attended
Sports fans mocked and ridiculed the NYPD on social media over their choice to shut down these events over the actions of 0.1 percent of attendees.
‘Nypd literally has to ruin everything,’ wrote one user on X. Another wondered, ‘Why cancel the fun over a handful of arrests.’
One comment read, ‘Canceled for rowdiness. With the team up 2-0 and on the road? Put the police report in the Louvre.’
‘Six of 6,000 is collateral damage man. Give the people the street. It’s not even a home game. Idk I’m about the people,’ said another user.
Others openly wondered what kind of message this sends with the World Cup coming to the city in just 18 days’ time.
‘I fully back the NYPD, but this is a serious question for anyone on the force. The World Cup is coming to NYC and they plan on having watch parties in Time Square. If we can’t handle a few hundred Knicks fans, how is the Cup going to play out?’ one user asked.
Another said, ‘NYPD CANT HANDLE 6 KNICK FAN IMAGINE IF THE WORLD CUP AT TIME SQUARE 42ST ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE I KNOW KNICK FAN STILL GOING COME THEY DONT GIVE A F***.’
