Trump Attendance Leads to Cancellation of Knicks Game 3 Watch Party, NYPD Says

NEW YORK, NY — New York Knicks fans hoping to gather outside Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals will have to make other plans.

The New York Police Department announced that the official outdoor watch party scheduled for Monday night has been canceled due to heightened security measures surrounding the attendance of President Donald Trump at Game 3 between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The decision was made in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service, according to law enforcement officials.

"There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only," the NYPD said in a statement. Officials indicated that the cancellation was directly related to the presidential visit and that watch parties are expected to resume for Game 4.

The Knicks are hosting their first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999, and demand from fans has been overwhelming. Thousands attended official watch parties for Games 1 and 2 as New York built a 2-0 series lead over the Spurs. However, the added security requirements for a sitting president's visit have led to significant changes around the arena.

Fans attending Game 3 should expect enhanced security measures, including street closures, restricted pedestrian access, airport-style screening procedures, and a strict no-bag policy. Authorities are advising ticket holders to arrive at least two hours before tipoff to avoid delays.

The cancellation has disappointed many Knicks supporters who viewed the outdoor gatherings as a chance to be part of the city's historic Finals run. The watch parties had become a rallying point for fans unable to secure tickets inside Madison Square Garden, helping create a playoff atmosphere throughout Midtown Manhattan.

Despite the cancellation outside MSG, fans will still have alternative locations to watch the game. Official Knicks watch parties are scheduled to continue at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl, while Bryant Park has also been designated as an additional viewing location for fans looking to celebrate New York's return to the NBA Finals.

The Knicks enter Game 3 with a 2-0 series advantage over the Spurs and are seeking to move one step closer to capturing the franchise's first NBA championship since 1973. The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden is expected to be electric as New York hosts its first Finals game in 27 years.

Urban Sports District will continue to provide coverage from New York throughout the 2026 NBA Finals.