Knicks fans have been left in the dark over whether an NBA Finals watch party will be held outside Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, after Mayor Mamdani and the NYPD appeared to publish conflicting information.
The Game 3 watch party on Monday night was canceled at short notice due to increased security concerns surrounding the presence of President Trump, with viewings being moved to Bryant Park, Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl instead.
A huge steel ring was erected around MSG to protect the president, with thousands of fans subjected to lengthy lines and airport-style security before being able to watch the Spurs-Knicks showdown.
It was anticipated that an MSG watch party would return for Game 4, after Trump confirmed he would not be back in the Big Apple for a second game, and Zohran Mamdani appeared to confirm it in a post on X on Tuesday night.
‘NEW YORK: We’re back outside the Garden,’ the mayor wrote on X. ‘We have approved a ticketed MSG watch party for Game 4. More details soon.
‘As we prepare to watch together, let me be clear: this is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence.
A huge steel ring was erected around the outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3
At Bryant Park, the watch party turned ugly and 21 fans were arrested after the Knicks lost
‘Be safe, take care, and celebrate responsibly. Knicks in 5.’
Almost immediately after, a conflicting statement was released by the owners of MSG – Madison Square Garden Sports – in which they labeled Mamdani and police commissioner Jessica Tisch ‘party poopers’.
In the statement, they claimed that the NYPD will enforce the same ‘frozen zone’ around the arena as they had for Game 3, despite Trump not being at the game.
The steel ring proved a disaster for local businesses around MSG, who rely so heavily on concert- and sports-goers visiting before and after their events.
MSG’s statement reads: ‘The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG.
‘The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere. Apparently Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen.
‘We have been told that the NYPD will once again implement the same “frozen zone” restrictions for Game 4, which were supposedly to thwart any threats related to the President’s attendance.
NYC Mayor Mamdani posted a statement to say that MSG will host a Game 4 watch party
It had been canceled at short notice on Monday due to the presence of President Trump
‘We now know these restrictions were never about the President – it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate.
‘The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood.
‘These celebrations are part of the heart and soul of New Yorkers. The actions of the Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand. We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the love of the team.’
The Daily Mail has reached out the Mayor’s Office for clarification on the situation.
The Game 3 watch party at Bryant Park on Monday night, meanwhile, hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the festivities descended into ugly violence.
Much like Trump, Mamdani (C) was inside MSG for the Game 3 loss on Monday evening
A police officer deploys his pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the Bryant Park crowds
Around 6,000 fans gathered to watch the game at the event, spilling out onto the streets around the park after the Knicks lost Game 3 to the Spurs.
Crowds flooded 42nd St and jumped on taxis and cars, ripping up street lights and throwing bottles at police officers.
The violent scenes, which were documented across social media, resulted in 21 arrests and injuries to five officers.
Eight of the fans arrested were charged with offenses including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration.
