New York Knicks fans are looking forward to the first NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in 27 years. The announced visit by US President Donald Trump is causing unrest.
At a press conference in the White House last Friday, Trump confirmed that he would attend the third game of the NBA finals series on Monday evening (local time) between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. At the invitation of the Knicks team owner, as the US news agency Associated Press reported.
Aggravated Safety precautions at Madison Square Garden
It was initially unclear whether the President would come to game three or game four, which also takes place at Madison Square Garden. Regardless of this, tightened security precautions have already been ordered. Fans were asked to arrive at the arena at least two hours before the start of the game. There should be special screenings upon entry, like when entering the airport. In addition, fans are only allowed to bring essential personal items into the arena and no bags, no matter how small. The US secret service Secret Service communicated a list of prohibited items especially for this occasion.
In addition, streets around the arena and the neighboring Penn Station will be temporarily closed.
Euphoria in New York – first NBA finals in 27 years
For the Knicks, who won two games in San Antonio at the start of the finals series, it will be the first NBA finals game in 27 years to take place at Madison Square Garden. The euphoria among fans in New York has been enormous for weeks, especially compared to US standards: at the playoff appearances in Cleveland and Philadelphia, the many Knicks fans who traveled along created a home game atmosphere.
Hundreds of fans from New York also celebrated the 2-0 series lead in the second final game in San Antonio, almost 3,000 kilometers away. More than 6,000 fans celebrated a wild “watch party” in front of Madison Square Garden, which also led to clashes with the police and a total of 17 arrests.
Arrests in New York at NBA Finals watch party
No public viewing at Madison Square Garden
For the first home game of the final series, the New York Police Department (NYPD) canceled the “public viewing” and public events around the arena in Manhattan in advance. The decision was made “in coordination with the Secret Service due to the President’s visit,” according to a statement from the NYPD.
This will probably annoy many New Yorkers. The prices for final tickets go into the high four-digit range, and for many Knicks fans the “Watch Party” in front of Madison Square Garden is more than just an alternative. Although there are other public viewing events, for example in Central Park, the ultimate thing for fans is the square in front of the famous arena – which is now set to become a restricted area because of Trump.
New York Knicks fans at the public viewing in front of Madison Square Garden
Criticism of Trump’s visit: “I don’t want him there”
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, a New York native and known for loud announcements, made clear comments about the president’s visit: “I don’t want him there. It’s not about politics. It’s just him causing disruption and adding to the chaos that will be at Madison Square Garden.”
Either way, it will be anything but a home game for the US President. Trump is a native of New York and describes himself as a Knicks fan. But Trump is rather unpopular among the population of the liberal stronghold of New York. Last November, at an NFL game in Democratic-controlled Washington DC, Trump had to endure boos during his appearance.
New York’s Democratic Mayor Zohram Mamdani has also announced his visit to the third final game at Madison Square Garden, and he has also been to Knicks games during the season. Mamdani, who is considered a strong Trump critic, told a major New York radio station that he would be sitting in a “completely different area” of the arena than the president.