New York Knicks fans will once again be able to watch the game inside and outside Madison Square Garden despite objections from MSG Sports over the city's expanded security plan.
A ticketed watch party will take place at Plaza33, just west of Madison Square Garden, for Wednesday night's Game 4 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, according to the NYPD.
The Knicks are making their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. After opening the series with back-to-back victories, New York lost Game 3 to San Antonio 115-111 on Monday. The Knicks still lead the series 2-1.
There was no watch party outside MSG for Game 3 because of heightened security measures related to President Donald Trump's attendance. Instead, the city hosted a watch party in Bryant Park.
The expanded security plan comes after police arrested 21 people after Monday night's game, when thousands of Knicks fans filled Midtown streets after the loss.
Authorities said parts of the crowd became rowdy, with some fans fighting, climbing on structures and vehicles and clashing with officers. In one instance, police said a group attacked a 39-year-old Spurs fan after the game, allegedly punching and kicking him before stealing his jersey.
Fans must have a ticket to attend Wednesday's watch party, the NYPD said. Registration information is available through the Knicks' playoff watch party page.
Attendees will enter through a screening checkpoint on the west side of Sixth Avenue at West 33rd Street beginning at 4:30 p.m. Once inside, there will be no reentry, police said.
The NYPD is also establishing a security perimeter around Madison Square Garden, stretching from West 29th Street to West 35th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues.
Starting at 4 p.m., Seventh Avenue within that zone will be closed to vehicle traffic and most pedestrian traffic. Eighth Avenue will remain open but could close if conditions require it.
An MSG Sports spokesperson criticized the security plan, saying it would unnecessarily limit celebrations by Knicks fans and hurt businesses that rely on game-day crowds around the arena.
Anyone entering the secure area will be screened. Access will be limited to people with game tickets, train tickets, business inside the perimeter, area residents, credentialed workers and others with authorized reasons to be there.
Businesses inside the perimeter, including bars and restaurants, will be allowed to operate under strict capacity limits. Backpacks, bags, alcohol and umbrellas will not be permitted inside the secure area, except for travelers heading to Penn Station with luggage needed for travel.
Additional watch parties are also planned at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl.
This story has been updated with new information from MSG Sports and the NYPD.
