The New York Knicks returned to the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden after a 27-year wait, turning Game 3 into a major moment for the city and the franchise. Hours before tipoff, midtown Manhattan was filled with fans in blue and orange chanting outside the arena as New York prepared for its first Finals game at the Garden since 1999. The Knicks entered the night with a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, a 13-game playoff winning streak, and a chance to move one win away from their first championship since 1973.
Demand for tickets surged as the historic game approached. Resale prices for upper-deck seats reportedly climbed to thousands of dollars, while premium courtside tickets reached extraordinary levels, reflecting the intensity of excitement around the team’s postseason run. Inside and outside the arena, the atmosphere built steadily as celebrities, longtime fans, and early arrivals packed the area around the building.
The night also drew major political attention. President Donald Trump was expected to attend as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, making him the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. His presence prompted a large security operation around Madison Square Garden, including a 10-foot perimeter fence, strict no-bag rules, and TSA-style screening at entrances. Fans were advised to arrive early, and long lines formed throughout the afternoon as security checkpoints slowed access to the arena.
Outside the Garden, some Knicks fans criticized the impact of Trump’s visit, saying it disrupted the experience and changed the tone of the night. Others said the heightened security was inconvenient but did not take away from the significance of the occasion. For many supporters, the moment represented one of the biggest nights in franchise history and recalled the team’s championship eras in 1970 and 1973.
The crowd also included high-profile celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Spike Lee, adding to the spectacle surrounding the game. A pregame light and laser show helped build anticipation before tipoff, and reports suggested rapper Cardi B would perform at halftime of Game 3.
New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was also expected to attend, placing two major political figures in the same building during one of the city’s most anticipated sporting events in years. Beyond the headlines and security, the central focus remained on basketball, with the Knicks trying to complete another step toward their first title in more than five decades while the Spurs fought to extend the series.
