Party’s over.
At least the Knicks‘ Watch Party outside Madison Square Garden that was scheduled for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Knicks owner James Dolan called off Wednesday night’s watch party, blaming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch for security restrictions that were placed on the area surrounding the Garden, and for the event itself.
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“We’re not even putting up the screens,” Dolan said Wednesday afternoon during a radio interview with WFAN.
James Dolan says no Knicks watch party outside MSG
Dolan and Madison Square Garden weren’t happy with the city limiting the party to 999 people, and that it would be a ticketed event.
“We’re not about 999 people,” Dolan said on WFAN. “We’re about millions of people.”
Mamdani responded, saying Madison Square Garden requested a permit for the watch party at those numbers and that the city approved it.
Zohran Mamdani’s statement about canceled Knicks watch partySecurity outside MSG for Knicks Game 4
Security measures outside Madison Square Garden for Wednesday night’s Game 4 won’t appear to be any different than they were for Game 3 on Monday when President Donald Trump was in attendance.
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The New York Police Department announced on X Wednesday morning that “the same secure zone” would be in place around MSG, beginning at 4 p.m. The zone will extend from West 29th Street to West 35th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue, according to the post. The NYPD cautioned people to avoid the area if they aren’t going to the game or a nearby restaurant to watch it.
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Comedian Tracy Morgan (center) talks with Hall of Fame basketball player Patrick Ewing (left) before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Comedian Tracy Morgan (center) talks with Hall of Fame basketball player Patrick Ewing (left) before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Former New York Knicks player Walt Frazier poses prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
(Dustin Satloff, Getty Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: (L-R) Former New York Knicks player Jeremy Lin and Director Spike Lee pose prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
(Dustin Satloff, Getty Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: (L-R) ESPN commentator Scott Van Pelt and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Television personality Stephen A. Smith (left) chats with Hall of Fame basketball player Walt Clyde Frazier before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(Wendell Cruz, Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller takes a photo with his mobile photo from courtside before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Former professional basketball player Jeremy Lin and filmmaker Spike Lee are interviewed by NBA Mexico before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(Wendell Cruz, Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Hall of Fame basketball player Walt Clyde Frazier looks on before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(Wendell Cruz, Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Hall of Fame basketball player Patrick Ewing stands on the court before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Celebrities light up MSG for Knicks vs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 3
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Reverend Al Sharpton looks on before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
“Starting at 4 p.m., no one will be allowed inside the secure area unless they have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business (restaurant or bar) inside the area, live in the area, have credentials, or have some other authorized reason to be there,” the NYPD said in a statement.
The New York Knicks are up 2-1 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals after winning the first two games over the Spurs in San Antonio and losing Monday’s home game, 115-111. Game 4 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Before Monday’s Game 3, fans were told to arrive at least two hours prior to tip-off to allow time for various security checkpoints, including a TSA-style magnetometer often seen in airports. The screening sites will return Wednesday, opening at 4:30 p.m.
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The NYPD said the four points fans can enter the arena will be the West side of Sixth Avenue at West 33rd Street, West side of Sixth Avenue at West 32nd Street, West side of Eighth Avenue at West 33rd Street, and the Northeast corner of Eighth Avenue and West 30th Street.
Fans will once again not be allowed to bring bags into the game.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Knicks watch party canceled as Dolan blames Mamdani, NYC leaders