NYC Mayor Mamdani Announces Free Knicks Watch Party for NBA Finals Game 3 After MSG's Canceled

New York Knicks fans were left disappointed after the watch party outside of Madison Square Garden was canceled for Monday's NBA Finals Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs.

However, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani came to the rescue, as he announced a free watch party for 5,000 fans in Bryant Park for Monday night's game. Fans can register for the watch party starting at noon ET.

The New York Police Department said in a statement Sunday that the decision to cancel the watch party outside of MSG was made in coordination with the Secret Service after it was announced that President Donald Trump would be attending Game 3.

"There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only," the statement said. "This was done fully in coordination with the Secret Service because of the presidential visit. We expect watch parties at Madison Square Garden to resume for Game 4."

While the watch parties have ignited jubilant celebrations from passionate Knicks fans, they've also become a point of contention for the New York Police Department. Multiple people have been arrested amid the raucous gatherings, and the watch parties were originally canceled ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals before the decision was reversed.

In addition to the watch party at Bryant Park, the Knicks website said that team-sanctioned watch parties will be held at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl. Both of them also required advanced registration and quickly reached capacity.

The Knicks will be looking to take a 3-0 series lead when they take on the Spurs on Monday night, which will be the first NBA Finals game at MSG since 1999.