NYPD closes area around MSG for Knicks game
Fans celebrated after the Knicks won Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3. Photo credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr
The New York Police Department will once again close several blocks around Madison Square Garden during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. In a post on X, the NYPD said the same “secure zone” implemented around the arena on Monday, when President Donald Trump attended the game, will be in effect. While originally a ticketed watch party was scheduled for outside MSG, Knicks owner James Dolan canceled the event, blaming Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD for not allowing more than 1,000 spectators.
Starting at 4 p.m., the police will close the area from West 29th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue to everyone except those “going to the game, restaurant, or bar, or traveling through the train station,” the police said. Everyone who can enter will be screened.
Seventh Avenue between West 29th Street and West 35th Street will be closed to vehicular and general pedestrian traffic.
On Monday, the police said the frozen zone around the arena was necessary because of Trump’s attendance at the Knicks game. On Wednesday, the department said the area will be closed because “we want everyone to be safe.”
When the party outside MSG was canceled on Monday, Mamdani announced another free event would take place at Bryant Park instead, in addition to several other events happening across the city. According to the New York Times, after the game, some people were fighting, climbing onto cars, and being combative with police officers. The police arrested eight people and issued court summonses for 13 more.
The party drew more than 7,000 people to the park to watch the Knicks lose to the San Antonio Spurs 115-111.
When asked about the restricted space at an unrelated press conference on Wednesday, Mamdani said MSG applied for a permit for an event on Plaza33 for between 500 and 1,000 people, and the city approved the maximum capacity. The mayor said the security measures will be in line with those for gatherings of this size, similar to what the police do for the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve events.
“What we’re speaking about here is a moment where this team has brought an extraordinary amount of energy, pride, excitement to every corner of our city, and we want to encourage every New Yorker to celebrate this moment and do so responsibly,” Mamdani said. “We want this to be a memorable night for the right reasons.”
In a statement, MSG Sports called Mamdani and NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch “New York City’s biggest party poopers.”
“The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG. The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere. Apparently, Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen,” MSG Sports said.
MSG urged the mayor and commissioner to lift the restrictions, adding: “The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood.”
Dolan later went on The Carton Show on WFAN to say he canceled the free outdoor event because of the limited capacity. He also said Mamdani is “not a Knicks fan,” but added that Trump is a fan (despite falling asleep on national television).
“MSG requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans. We approved that permit for 999 fans,” Mamdani said in a post on X in response.
“Mr. Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party. I know this is breaking hearts across our city. But if there’s one thing Knicks fans don’t need permission for, it’s showing up for our team wherever we may be — no matter the block or the borough.”
According to the police, screening sites will be open at 4:30 p.m.; fans attending the game or going to a bar or restaurant in the area should arrive early.
Entry points to the secure zone include:
-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
-Northeast corner of Eighth Avenue and West 30th Street
Other events are happening at Wollman Rink in Central Park and at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, but both are sold out. Find a few other prime viewing locations across the city for Game 4 here.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to mention that James Dolan canceled the Game 4 watch party hosted by MSG on Plaza33 over disputes with the mayor and police commissioner.
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