Knicks to Host Watch Party Outside MSG for NBA Finals Game 4 vs. Spurs, NYC Mayor Announces

There will once again be a watch party outside of Madison Square Garden for Wednesday's Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

After the Game 3 watch parties outside the stadium were limited by the additional security measures put in place with president Donald Trump attending Game 3, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani announced there are plans for a ticketed watch party for Game 4:

The New York Police Department announced there will be restrictions in place and the event will be ticketed and capped at 1,000 attendees:

MSG Sports issued a statement Wednesday, saying in part: "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 which will turn the streets around MSG into a police state."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Trump is not expected to be in attendance for Wednesday's Game 4.

With no watch party in place for Game 3 due to the additional security measures, thousands of people gathered at Bryant Park for a city-hosted watch party.

However, police said eight people were arrested while 13 others were issued criminal court summons, per the Associated Press. 

Police also said five officers were injured and released a statement that said "the crowd became increasingly rowdy, violent, and destructive, and there were many incidents of disorderly and dangerous behavior."

On the court, the Spurs won Game 3 to cut New York's lead to 2-1 in the series.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals, while Stephon Castle added 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. The Knicks scored just 20 points in the fourth quarter as San Antonio's defense cut off driving lanes and swarmed outside shooters with the game on the line.

The road team has won all three games in the Finals to this point, and the Knicks will look to change that Wednesday.