When news broke that the New York Knicks were canceling their big Game 4 watch party outside of Madison Square Garden, fans around the NBA world openly wondered how such a crucial part of the fan experience could be missing from one of the most important basketball games to grace Manhattan in decades.
Fortunately, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani couldn't pull the screen down himself, that decision belongs to James Dolan, he did come up with a creative solution to give fans a free way to watch the game.
“When James Dolan cancels the watch party outside MSG, we bring the watch party to you,” Mamdani wrote on social media. “Thanks to the NBA, Knicks Game 4 is now playing on dozens of Link screens across our city. LGK.”
When James Dolan cancels the watch party outside MSG, we bring the watch party to you.
Thanks to the @NBA, Knicks Game 4 is now playing on dozens of @LinkNYC screens across our city.
LGK. pic.twitter.com/gRcYjobzSV
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) June 11, 2026
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Why weren't New Yorkers able to attend a watch party at MSG just like they have at previous games throughout the playoffs? Well, Mamdani commented on that too, explaining that the decision was out of his control.
“MSG requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans. We approved that permit for 999 fans,” Mamdani noted. “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. Knicks in five.”
Fortunately for Mamdani, the Knicks did pull out the win, with the team very much still capable of securing the win in five thanks to a last-second Game 4 win. For everyone's sake, hopefully, the Game 5 watch party will go off without a hitch.
When news broke that the New York Knicks were canceling their big Game 4 watch party outside of Madison Square Garden, fans around the NBA world openly wondered how such a crucial part of the fan experience could be missing from one of the most important basketball games to grace Manhattan in decades.