NYPD pulls permits for Knicks watch parties outside MSG, but fans still celebrate
Photos courtesy of NY Knicks/MSG Sports
While the police department won’t support New York Knicks playoff watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden anymore, fans still celebrated the team’s first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years on Monday. After the city’s Police Department denied permits for the watch party for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, citing “very rough” crowds, the event relocated to Radio City Music Hall and Brooklyn Bowl. According to the NYPD, past watch parties have included some people jumping police barriers, throwing glass bottles into crowds, and brawling, with six people arrested last Thursday, the New York Post reported. The lack of permits did not stop fans from heading to 7th Avenue to celebrate the team’s historic sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With a sweep of both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cavaliers, the Knicks have won 11 games in a row. Over 14 playoff games, New York has outscored opponents by an average of 19.4 points per game, the largest point differential in playoff history, according to NBA.com.
According to the NYPD, some members of the team’s dedicated fan base have reportedly facilitated “very rough” conditions at the watch parties outside the world’s most famous arena.
One video from outside the arena following Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers shows fans surrounding and knocking down former Knicks player JR Smith as he left after the victory.
The NYPD said in a statement that it would not support additional watch parties outside MSG due to safety concerns. Crowds blocked traffic on 34th and 33rd Streets and Second Avenue, while some fans climbed subway entrances and overhangs.
Six people were arrested following Game 3 watch party celebrations, according to the NYPD. A video on X shows a fan being detained by several officers after being told to get down from the top of a lamppost.
In response, the official watch party was relocated to Radio City Music Hall, a mile north of MSG, while another free viewing was held at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. It is unclear whether the two venues will host similar events for the finals.
The NYPD said it would continue to review requests to support watch parties at alternate outdoor sites such as Central Park’s SummerStage. Central Park has hosted viewing events for previous events, but registration was required to attend.
While official celebrations outside MSG have ended, fans still crowded the streets and climbed lamp poles and overhangs following Monday’s win, including one above the entrance to Penn Station, the Post reported.
During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city plans to have “a number of different kinds of watch parties.”
“We’re incredibly excited to make it easier for New Yorkers to celebrate,” the mayor said, hinting that more events will be announced for the Finals, which begin next week.
RELATED:
