Trump attends NBA Finals, security tightened at Madison Square Garden
Theo Al Jazeera English
President Donald Trump attends NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, prompting heightened security. Fans face strict no-bag policy and street closures, with no public watch party outside.
As the New York Knicks return home after two road wins, leading the San Antonio Spurs 2-0 in the NBA Finals, a mix of excitement and tension grips the Madison Square Garden area. Reason: U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the game Monday evening local time.
The U.S. Secret Service has announced special security measures, similar to those for past presidential appearances at major sporting events. Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: "Attendees should prepare for hard street closures around Madison Square Garden. A strict no-bag policy will be enforced. Fans should also expect Secret Service-level security screening, akin to airport procedures."
The New York Police Department also said there will be no public watch party outside the arena for Game 3. "The permit for a public viewing event at Plaza33 has been denied after consultation with the NYPD," the statement read, emphasizing the decision was fully coordinated with the Secret Service due to the president's visit. The public viewing area is expected to return for Game 4 on Wednesday.
Organizers urge fans to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to avoid delays. Local subway services and the Long Island Rail Road through Penn Station, directly beneath the arena, are expected to operate normally.
This is not the first time Trump has leveraged the sports spotlight in his second term. He became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, along with events like the Ryder Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup final. However, past experience suggests possible congestion. Thousands of fans missed the start of the men's singles final at the U.S. Open last September due to security checks related to the president's appearance.
The New York Knicks have not won a title since 1973, and their first finals appearance since 1999 has ignited a frenzy across the city. About 6,500 fans flooded the area outside Madison Square Garden on Friday evening for a watch party as the Knicks edged a nail-biting 105-104 win. The NYPD reported 17 arrests at that event, including one person who punched an officer in the face. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged fans to "celebrate responsibly." Mamdani, a die-hard Knicks fan, said he would attend Monday's game.
Tickets for this game, held as the nearby MetLife Stadium prepares to host the first of eight World Cup matches, were listed on StubHub with a minimum price of $9,000 as of Saturday evening.
