Knicks owner clashes with Mamdani over tight security, cancelling NBA Finals party
· Yahoo Sports
Heavy security around Madison Square Garden for Wednesday's NBA Finals game has led to frustration from the owner of the New York Knicks, and a last-minute cancellation of an arena watch party.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch planned to largely close the area for game four of the NBA Finals, similar to when Trump attended Monday's game.
They also limited the number of fans allowed at a watch party outside the arena to 1,000 over safety concerns, after a similar party at nearby Bryant Park turned violent on Monday.
Knicks owner James Dolan was unhappy about the zone, calling Mamdani and Tisch "party poopers" in a statement on Tuesday.
Then, late Wednesday afternoon, Dolan said on a sports radio show that there would be no screens outside the arena for the party.
"We're not even putting up the screens. We're not about 999 people, we're about millions of people," he said.
"[Mamdani] gave us the gift of allowing us to screen 999 people and tell, you know, 20,000, 'no'."
He indicated that he had thought Tisch and Mamdani would eventually reverse their decision to limit attendance, but "they clearly haven't changed their minds".
Mamdani confirmed on X soon after that the Garden had requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans, which the city had approved.
"Mr Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party," he posted. "I know this is breaking hearts across our city."
He had stressed the importance of safety on Tuesday. "As we prepare to watch together, let me be clear: this is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence," Mamdani said.
Tisch also warned the public that they should again expect New Year's Eve-levels of security, similar to when Trump attended the game Monday. Everyone will be screened, according to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), which advised attendees to "get there early and leave the bags at home".
Dolan responded on Tuesday slamming Mamdani and Tisch as "New York City's biggest party poopers".
"We now know that these restrictions were never about the President. It was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate," he said.
Asked about Dolan's comments during a press conference, Mamdani said the security measures fit a gathering the size of the watch party.
The Knicks lost 111-115 at Madison Square Garden to the Spurs in game three of the best-of-seven NBA finals on Monday, cutting their lead in the series to 2-1.
The Knicks haven't been in the finals since 1999, at which time they lost to the Spurs, and New Yorkers have been out in the streets celebrating each win.
"The city is electric," a fan told the BBC.
Trump's attendance led the cancellation of a scheduled watch party near Madison Square Garden and the installation of a fenced perimeter around the arena and surrounding streets.
People climbed on top of cars and scaffolding to get a better look at the screens [Getty Images]Those without tickets turned to watch parties, including one organised by the city at nearby Bryant Park.
Thousands of people eventually flooded the area, blocking traffic, standing on cars and climbing building scaffolding to see the screens.
The crowed turned violent, police say, brawling and throwing glass objects at each other. Some 21 people were arrested.
Video also went viral showing a mob violently assaulting a 39-year-old Spurs fan as he walked back to his hotel room.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama called the violence "unacceptable".
The NYPD's Crime Stoppers have now launched a hunt for the suspects.
Celebrity fans of the Knicks also cautioned fans against getting violent.
"Being a Knick fan doesn't mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way," said actor Ben Stiller.