The drought is over! Knicks win first NBA title in 53 years

MSG is unhappy with the limitations on the watch party outside the arena for Game 4, calling the arrangements evidence of "a police state."

It comes after the NYPD approved a watch party permit for 999 people, after MSG's permit application apparently asked for 500-999 people.

Read the full statement:

"Mayor Mamdani's 'granting' of a watch party permit is disingenuous at best. It came with multiple conditions, including not allowing more than 1,000 spectators and demanding that they all must have a ticket. But more important is the Mayor's plan to freeze out fans from celebrating outside Madison Square Garden, which will turn the streets around MSG into a police state.

The Knicks' victories are for all New Yorkers.

We wish everyone could see the games live. Watch parties and public celebrations are a way for every Knicks fan to enjoy this special time. These fans want to celebrate together. They want to celebrate at the Mecca of basketball.

This is not about watch parties, it's about celebrating wins.

Issues that happened at the Mayor's Bryant Park watch party (a city-run watch party) are not related to blocks around MSG nor any other previously run MSG watch party. Additionally there have been minimal problems in other cities where NBA Final watch parties occurred and they have had successful experiences around those respective arenas - 2025 Oklahoma City vs Indiana had major celebrations around arena with limited to no incidents; 2019 Toronto vs. Golden State; 2024 Dallas vs Boston; and 2023 Denver vs Miami all had major celebrations around their arenas with minor incidents.

If the Mayor won't allow that, can he at least give Knicks fans an honest answer of why not? He can't blame it on the President. He is not coming to Game 4 and there is no reason to create a police state around The Garden."

Unlike the previous outdoor watch parties outside Madison Square Garden, Wednesday night's will require preregistration

Fans can monitor this website for watch party registration information.

The NYPD says the permit requested by MSG, and approved by the city, is for an event to accommodate 500 to 1,000 people.

"In their application permit for the watch party for Wednesday night, MSG only requested an event that could accommodate between 500-1,000 people. The city granted the max number of attendees for their request, so there will be a 1,000-person ticketed watch party."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that since MSG asked for a permit for up to 1,000 people ... the city approved 999.

"As my police commissioner outlined at her security briefing on Monday, additional security measures will be in place outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 4 to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy the event," Mamdani said. "The security in place this evening is in line with the measures that the NYPD uses for gatherings at this size, whether it be July 4th or New Year's Eve."

The Bryant Park watch party set up by the city Monday had a maximum capacity of 5,000 attendees. The NYPD estimated 7,000 attended were in or in the vicinity of that watch party, and another 6,500 in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden Friday night.

Shortly after Mayor Mamdani announced security plans for Game 4 surrounding Madison Square Garden, MSG Sports Corp. released a statement calling both Mamdani and Commissioner Tisch 'party poopers.'

The full statement:

Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch are New York City's Biggest Party Poopers

"The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG. The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere. Apparently Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don't want to see these celebrations happen.

We have been told the NYPD will once again implement the same 'frozen zone' restrictions for Game 4, which were supposedly to thwart any threats related to the President's attendance. We now know these restrictions were never about the President- it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate.

The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood.

These celebrations are part of the heart and soul of New Yorkers. The actions of Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand. We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the life of the team."

The City announced its security plans surrounding Madison Square Garden for Game 4.

A watch party has been approved for Game 4 outside of Madison Square Garden, which will be a ticketed event. Fans will be screened.

Fans will not be allowed to re-enter the watch party.

Security Perimeter and Access Points:
There will be a security perimeter established around Madison Square Garden that will run from West 29th Street to West 35th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue.

Within that perimeter, beginning at 4pm, Seventh Avenue between West 29th Street and West 35th Street will be closed to vehicular and general pedestrian traffic.

Eighth Avenue will be open to vehicular traffic, but is subject to traffic closure if conditions necessitate a closure.

Starting at 4pm, no one will be allowed inside the secure area unless they have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business (restaurant or bar) inside the area, live in the area, have credentials, or have some other authorized reason to be there.

Everyone entering the secure area will be screened.

Screening locations will be open starting at 4:30pm.

Those entry points will be located on:
West side of Sixth Avenue at West 33rd Street
West side of Sixth Avenue at West 32nd Street
West side of Eighth Avenue at West 33rd Street
Northeast corner of Eighth Avenue and West 30th Street

Exiting Madison Square Garden:
Fans leaving Madison Square Garden after the game will be able to access public transit at Penn Station.

If you are leaving the area by foot or car, you will exit the arena onto Seventh Avenue or Eighth Avenue.

If you exit onto Eighth Avenue, you will only be able to walk southbound on the east side of Eighth Avenue until you reach 28th Street. East and west egress from Eighth Avenue will only be possible starting at 28th Street.

If you exit onto Seventh Avenue, you can either walk southbound on the west side of Seventh Avenue until you reach 28th Street or you can walk eastbound on 32nd Street until you reach Sixth Avenue.

If you are planning to take a taxi or another ride after the game, you will only be able to access vehicles starting at West 28th Street and Eighth Avenue, West 28th Street and Seventh Avenue, or West 32nd Street and Sixth Avenue.

Chantee Lans has more.