Madison Square Garden is criticizing New York City officials over a newly announced security plan for Wednesday night’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals, arguing the restrictions will unnecessarily limit fan celebrations and hurt local businesses. The dispute comes as the New York Knicks return to the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly 30 years.
New York enters Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs with a 2-1 series lead. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET, and every matchup in the series so far has been won by the visiting team.
Under the city’s security plan, a secure perimeter will be established around Madison Square Garden beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The security zone will span from West 29th Street to West 35th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues, with portions of Seventh Avenue closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning in the afternoon.
Anyone entering the zone will be subject to screening, and access will be limited to ticket holders for either the game or the watch party, Penn Station passengers, local residents, business patrons, credentialed individuals, and others with authorized reasons to enter.
The restrictions largely mirror those implemented Monday when President Donald Trump attended Game 3 and sat alongside James Dolan, whose company owns both the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. Trump is not expected to attend Wednesday’s game.
Garden officials contend that the restrictions should have ended with the president’s visit.
“We now know these restrictions were never about the President – it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate,” an arena spokesperson said Tuesday night in a statement criticizing city officials and the NYPD. The statement referred to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as “New York City’s biggest party poopers.”
The criticism intensified after city officials announced that the popular watch party outside the arena would return for Game 4, but only under tighter controls.
City officials said the watch party at Plaza33 outside the arena would be capped at 1,000 ticketed attendees, with all guests required to pass through security screening before entering. Officials have not yet explained how tickets will be distributed. As of Wednesday morning, the Knicks’ watch party webpage stated only: “Check back soon for upcoming information.”
Madison Square Garden officials argue that fans have demonstrated their enthusiasm peacefully throughout much of the Knicks’ postseason run.
“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 (Jessica) Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen.”
City leaders, however, point to a series of recent incidents that prompted heightened concerns about public safety.
During Game 2 on Friday, which was played in San Antonio, roughly 6,500 people attended the watch party outside Madison Square Garden, according to an NYPD spokesperson. Police reported 26 arrests, including one individual accused of punching one officer and biting another.
On Monday night, a watch party attended by approximately 7,000 people in Bryant Park devolved into violence and property damage, according to a law enforcement official. Police took 21 people into custody. Two individuals were charged with assaulting police officers, and five officers suffered injuries.
According to the official, some attendees refused to leave the area, obstructed traffic, and engaged in large physical altercations that resulted in injuries. Others allegedly threw glass objects, uprooted trees, and tore bus signs from the ground.
A separate attack occurred following Game 3. Police said a 39-year-old man wearing a Spurs jersey was assaulted while walking along West 47th Street, roughly 15 blocks from Madison Square Garden. Video of the incident shows the man being taunted before several people tried to rip his jersey off.
The NYPD said the victim tried to defend himself and push people away but was eventually knocked to the ground from behind, kicked repeatedly, and robbed of his cellphone. He was transported to a hospital and listed in stable condition.
The attack also prompted public appeals from prominent Knicks supporters and city officials ahead of Game 4. Actor Ben Stiller, a longtime Knicks fan and frequent courtside presence, urged fans on X not to harass or target Spurs supporters.
“Being a Knick fan doesn’t mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way. We get caught up during the games, but we gotta show respect to our fellow humans.”
Mamdani echoed the message in response to Stiller’s post.
“Couldn’t agree more. We’ll win this series on the court (even if the refs refuse to call a flagrant on Wemby), not by targeting, harassing, or attacking Spurs fans. Knicks in 5.”
The recent violence followed another troubling incident Sunday, when a stabbing at Penn Station, located directly beneath Madison Square Garden, injured six people.
In light of those events, city officials defended their decision to allow the watch party to continue while imposing stricter safeguards.
“We’re back outside the Garden,” Mamdani wrote on X. “This is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence.”
The NYPD had previously indicated it would no longer support watch parties outside the arena because of crowd-management concerns.
Garden representatives argue the broader impact of the security measures extends beyond basketball fans.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The department reversed course last week after facing criticism, though police appeared to adopt a tougher enforcement approach during Monday’s gathering.
Watch parties had been suspended during the Knicks’ previous playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the official said. Their return ahead of the NBA Finals represented a significant moment for fans. Aside from one cancellation due to rain, watch parties accompanied every other Knicks playoff game.
Officials characterized the return of the gathering for Game 4 as a compromise that balances public safety with fan enthusiasm. Businesses within the restricted zone will still be allowed to operate, although capacity limits will be imposed.
Pedestrians without business in the area are advised to avoid the security zone altogether. Certain items, including backpacks, bags, alcohol and umbrellas, will not be permitted inside.
Moumita Basuroychowdhury is a Contributing Reporter at The National Digest. After earning an economics degree at Cornell University, she moved to NYC to pursue her MFA in creative writing. She enjoys reporting on science, business and culture news. You can reach her at moumita.b@thenationaldigest.com.
