Ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs on Monday at Madison Square Garden, a security wall has been erected.
In the video below, you can see the wall on 33rd street and eighth avenue, with the videographer walking toward seventh avenue as the wall continues.
President Donald J. Trump is expected to attend Game 3, and a no bag policy has been enacted for the game because of it -- with fans encouraged to arrive at least two hours early in order to get through TSA-like security checkpoints.
In addition to the enhanced security measures, the watch party that has been taking place on the Garden plaza on a game-by-game basis (which has been pending city approval each time) is not taking place for Game 3.
"The permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the City's permitting office in consultation with the NYPD," an MSG spokesperson said on Sunday. "However, the White House will confirm that this is not about the President. We understand NYPD Commissioner Tisch is planning additional street closures around Madison Square Garden."
There will be official watch parties at Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Manhattan, and at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn.
In anticipation of waves of fans, there were various street closures/police barricades near MSG for both Games 1 and 2, which took place in San Antonio, with watch parties in and around the Garden. Those measures have been increased with the Knicks now home.
Per the NYPD:
Starting at 4pm today, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue.
No one will be allowed inside the secure area unless you have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business inside the area, have credentials, or have some other authorized reason to be there.
Security perimeter has been installed ahead of Game 3 of NBA Finals at MSG pic.twitter.com/ARC6vnYUq1
— TickPick (@TickPick) June 8, 2026
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