Some New York Knicks fans said President Donald Trump’s planned appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals is taking attention away from the team’s first home game of the series. Fans gathered outside the arena on Sunday told CNN they were frustrated by the heightened security and the disruption to a popular watch party that usually draws thousands of people.
Ryan Wang, a Knicks fan interviewed outside MSG, said Trump should not attend the game and argued that he does not represent New York. Other fans echoed similar concerns, saying the president’s visit is dominating the conversation at a time when the focus should be on the Knicks and the Finals.
Security around Madison Square Garden was being significantly increased ahead of Monday night’s game. Hundreds of barricades were being placed around the arena early Monday morning as officials prepared for Trump’s attendance. The added precautions are expected to affect access in and around the building, with crowd control measures stepping up across the area.
One of the biggest changes is the cancellation of a well-known fan watch party outside the arena. Officials said the event would not take place this time because of security requirements tied to the president’s visit. The watch party has been a major gathering point for fans, especially those who could not afford tickets, and its cancellation disappointed many supporters.
Lance Thompson, another Knicks fan, said the decision was a shame because many people have depended on the event to celebrate the team’s playoff run together. He said he had been looking forward to joining the crowd outside the Garden, but could not attend the game itself because of the cost of tickets. For fans in that situation, the watch party had offered a way to be part of the excitement.
Those with tickets to the game said they were planning to arrive early because they expected delays and heavy security. Ebony Watson, who was attending with her girlfriend, said they arranged to get to the Garden well before tip-off and even booked a hotel nearby to avoid complications. She said they expected the area to be especially crowded and chaotic because of Trump’s visit, but also felt the atmosphere would be heightened by the team’s chances of winning.
The Knicks’ Game 3 matchup at Madison Square Garden is the team’s first home game of the NBA Finals, making the night especially significant for fans. But for many around the arena, the president’s presence and the security response around it have become the main story ahead of the game.
