Heavy Security Surrounds Trump Visit to Knicks’ NBA Finals Game 3

The NYPD and the Secret Service are locking down the area around Madison Square Garden as President Donald Trump plans to attend the Knicks’ NBA Finals Game 3 under heightened security.

June 8, 2026

4 min read

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President Donald Trump’s planned appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden will trigger a large NYPD and Secret Service security operation Monday evening, including a frozen security zone around the arena beginning during rush hour.
Streets surrounding MSG will be heavily restricted, with only ticket holders, commuters and credentialed workers allowed into the area as authorities deploy drones, counter-drone technology and tactical teams to secure the event.
Officials canceled the usual watch party outside MSG after previous Knicks celebrations led to arrests, assaults on police officers and other disruptions, though alternative viewing events will be held elsewhere in the city.

By Rocco Parascandola

Source New York Daily News

The area around Madison Square Garden will be locked down starting 4 p.m. Monday to thwart any threats as President Trump watches the Knicks play the NBA Finals Game 3 — creating the possibility of massive gridlock and disruptions for New Yorkers.

A frozen zone will be enforced from W. 30 to W. 35th Sts. between Sixth and Eighth Aves. in Midtown Manhattan starting just as rush hour begins, authorities said.

There will be no vehicular traffic on Seventh and Eighth Aves. and only those who have a ticket to the game, a commuter train ticket or credentials for local businesses will be allowed through the security perimeter.

“In addition to personnel, our security posture provides drones, as well as advanced counter drone technology, protective intelligence, specialized tactical teams and operational resources that allow us to identify and address potential threats while maintaining a welcoming environment for fans,” said Matt McCool, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s New York office.

“From the ground to the sky, the Secret Service and our partners have it covered.”

McCool, speaking with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch at police headquarters at One Police Plaza in lower Manhattan, outlined the security measures in place for the big game.

Most notably, there will be no watch party outside the Garden — though Mayor Mamdani did announce that to make up for that Bryant Park will host one for up to 5,000 people, along with those already set for Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl. There will be a watch party outside the Garden for Game 4 on Wednesday.

Those granted entry to the frozen zone will have to pass through an NYPD checkpoint at one of five locations: Sixth Ave. at W. 32nd and W. 33rd Sts., Seventh Ave. and W. 29th St. and Eighth Ave. at W. 30th and W. 34th Sts.

Only those entering Penn Station will be allowed into the frozen zone with bags.

A transit source said that subways would operate as usual, including making stops at Penn Station. The source noted subway service continued throughout Trump’s 2024 Madison Square Garden campaign rally and the expectation is this ought to function the same way.

Tisch said the lockdown will be in place for the entire game, even if Trump leaves early, and that it mirrors how the NYPD secures Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s simple,” she said. “Celebrate the Knicks but avoid the MSG area tonight.”

McCool urged those with tickets to get to the Garden at least two hours before the 8:30 p.m. tipoff and be prepared for magnetometer screening. Backpacks, bags and purses will not be allowed, he said.

Last Friday, an estimated 7,000 spectators flooded W. 33rd St. outside the Garden for a watch party for Game 2, played in San Antonio.

There was plenty of harmless revelry as the Knicks won, but 26 people were taken into custody with nine issued summonses for disorderly conduct and 17 arrested for a variety of offenses, from assault to selling counterfeit merchandise.

One NYPD officer was repeatedly punched as she tried to stop a female fan who jumped a barricade and ran into a frozen area, police said.

Karely Reyes, 29, was charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.

As Reyes was detained and transported in a police van, she repeatedly kicked her feet up in the air, then bit the arm of a cop who tried to stop her, saying, “Mmm, tasty,” prosecutors alleged.

She was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Saturday and granted supervised release until her next court appearance.

A similar event outside MSG after Game 1 on Wednesday ended in eight arrests and thousands of dollars in damage when revelers jumped on a passing ambulance. An NYPD chief was punched in the face and a woman accidentally set her hair on fire during the celebration, police said.

A man quickly rushed up and sprayed the woman’s head with a fire extinguisher, putting out the flames.

With Evan Simko-Bednarski

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