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Knicks fans face logistical nightmare as Trump attends Game 3

Fans wait to enter the stadium before Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Knicks fans face logistical nightmare as President Donald Trump attends Game 3

By Sean Keane | Last updated Jun 8, 2026 8:08 PM ET

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The New York Knicks have benefited from enthusiastic crowds throughout their historic playoff run. Those fans may have lost some enthusiasm after waiting over an hour and a half to get into Madison Square Garden for Game 3.

The president's desire to see his hometown Knicks battle the San Antonio Spurs created extra security for their first home Finals game. That means fans faced extended lines to get into the arena, and fans without tickets can't come within blocks of MSG at all.

New York Knicks derailing their good vibes

Knicks owner James Dolan invited President Donald Trump to see a Finals game, perhaps not anticipating the logistical difficulties it might cause. Fans aren't allowed to bring bags into arenas, and ticket holders reported confusion outside, as police routed and rerouted fans through different barricades.

According to Darren Rovell, some fans had waited in line for over 90 minutes, trying to get in, while the arena remained roughly 10 percent full 90 minutes before tipoff. In addition, the city banned the organic watch parties that have sprung up around the arena, where fans who can't afford to attend in person — the lowest price to get in is nearly $10K — could gather to watch games.

These people have been waiting an hour to get into Madison Square Garden.

Here is a first person account:

“They routed everyone down to 34th and 8th.

Police barracade.

Through metal detectors to a point about 200 feet from MSG.

Then they came and apologized and said… pic.twitter.com/7Ol3m1gWX2
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 8, 2026

The NYPD banned all pedestrian traffic between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue, and between West 30th Street and West 35th Street, to anyone without tickets. The heightened security left fans stuck outside for hours, with lines stretching for full city blocks.

Line for fans to get into MSG pic.twitter.com/pcl9z8jXQ4
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) June 8, 2026

New York Knicks could lose home-court advantage

The Knicks have enjoyed an excellent home-court advantage during the playoffs, going 6-1 in MSG. They've also had energetic crowds of orange-and-blue fans on the road, out-cheering home fans at the end of Knicks victories.

Having to wait for hours and go through metal detectors and pat downs might dampen some of the overwhelming affection for the Knicks coming from the home fans. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a city-sponsored watch party in Bryant Park, roughly 10 blocks from MSG, but that doesn't replace the myriad outdoor parties, not to mention street vendors and other businesses pushed aside by security.

Then again, Knicks fans have also waited 27 years since their last Finals appearance and 53 years since their last NBA title. They've endured Dolan's awful tenure as team owner, terrible trades for Stephon Marbury, Andrea Bargnani, Eddy Curry, Steve Francis and countless others and several legal scandals, not to mention being inferior to the Nets for most of the last quarter century.

The lines are annoying. But Knicks fans have been through much, much worse.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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