New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden has gone into virtual lockdown Monday as police implemented a tight security cordon around the venue where President Donald Trump is attending game three of the NBA Finals with his hometown Knicks.
Authorities have barred fans without tickets from coming within several blocks of the Manhattan venue, and have banned watch parties directly outside — a break from the first two playoff games, which drew jubilant crowds.
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Officials have urged ticket holders to arrive at least two hours before the 8:30pm (10.30 AEST Tuesday) tip-off to clear airport-style security screening. Bags will not be permitted inside.
“The message is simple: celebrate the Knicks, but avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets for the game,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a news conference.
Police downplayed broader security concerns after a stabbing late Sunday wounded six people at Penn Station, which sits beneath the venue. US media described the male suspect as emotionally disturbed with no terror links.
An AFP reporter on Monday saw a 10-foot (three-metre) fence around parts of Madison Square Garden and a heavy presence of Secret Service personnel charged with protecting the US president.
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox said during San Antonio’s shoot around ahead of Game 3 that Trump’s presence was “inconvenient” given the added measures.
“I think the president being here just makes it inconvenient on everybody else,” Fox said.
“We got more security, our buses were a little early…we’re getting screened like it’s TSA. It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s got to play, but it is what it is.”
Prominent NBA pundit Stephen A. Smith had earlier urged Trump to stay away.
“He’s coming to Game three of the Finals, and I don’t want him there. It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to be existing at Madison Square Garden,” Smith said.
“If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, ‘Stay home.’ Stay at the White House… I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I’m telling you right now, come Monday, for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports.”
Largely players declined the opportunity to talk about Trump’s attendance.
Knicks forward OG Anunoby tried to downplay any impact it will have on his team.
“He’ll just be there watching the game,” he said. “We’re going to go as usual, play our game, try to win the game.”
The players will be able to say little else as credentialed media have been denied access to the locker room for pre-game interviews for the first time this season.
Knicks fan Eric Velez, 45, said he planned to watch the game at a Manhattan bar because he did not have a ticket and could not get near the venue due to the security measures.
“It’s looking good so far. I’m nervous. Hopefully they do it this time,” Velez said ahead of the game.
– Packed venue –
The Knicks have a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven series against the San Antonio Spurs, and now the action shifts to the Big Apple for games three and four.
The team, chasing their first basketball championship since 1973, have whipped up a feverish following in the largest US city.
Ticket prices for Monday’s game are out of the reach of most New Yorkers, but the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Famous Arena” will still be packed to the rafters, with celebrity fans courtside.
Among those attending is New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who told reporters he paid nearly $1,000 for his tickets. He is not expected to watch alongside Trump.
The Secret Service plans to deploy counter-drone technology as part of its operation to protect the US leader, who has faced three alleged assassination attempts in less than two years.
Security is set up outside of Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, June 8, 2026, as President Donald Trump is set to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals.Source: AP
Trump, a long-time Knicks fan, last visited Madison Square Garden in November 2024 to watch a UFC fight after his election victory. He earlier held a campaign rally at the venue.
“We all know what tonight means to New Yorkers who have been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this,” Special Agent Matt McCool told reporters.
“The Secret Service’s focus is straightforward: to ensure everyone attending the game can enjoy the game and have a safe experience, while we carry out our responsibility to protect the President of the United States.” The New York Police Department said it would not increase security specifically at Penn Station because of Sunday’s stabbing.
NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri said that hundreds of officers are assigned to the transit hub, adding that the deployment there “will not change in light of the incident yesterday.”