The big problem Donald Trump causes in Game 3 of the NBA Finals

The presence of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, at the third game of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs has caused a significant change in the plans scheduled for the match. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed on Sunday that the usual watch party in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden will not take place due to the strict security measures accompanying the presidential visit.

The decision was announced just over 24 hours before the game and was made in coordination with the Secret Service. Therefore, thousands of Knicks fans will not be able to gather in the vicinity of the arena to watch the game on the giant screens typically set up at such events. These gatherings had become one of the most characteristic images of the historic journey of the New York team in the playoffs.

The police department clarified that the measure will only affect the third game of the series. The official statement leaves the door open for fan gatherings to return for the fourth game, scheduled for Wednesday, a showdown that could even be key for the Knicks to clinch the championship depending on what happens previously.

"There will be no watch parties outside Madison Square Garden only for the third game. This decision has been made in full coordination with the Secret Service due to the presidential visit. We hope that watch parties will return for the fourth game," the police stated in their release.

Shortly after, a spokesperson for Madison Square Garden offered a slightly different version of the events. It was explained that the permit to hold the fan party at Plaza33 was denied by the municipal office responsible for authorizations after consulting with the NYPD. Additionally, it was assured that the cancellation does not directly respond to Trump's presence from the White House's side.

"The permit for the watch party at Plaza33 for the third game was denied by the municipal permits office in consultation with the NYPD. However, the White House will confirm that this is not related to the president. We understand that Commissioner Jessica Tisch plans additional street closures around Madison Square Garden," the spokesperson stated.

The head of the Secret Service office in New York, Matt McCool, acknowledged that the news could disappoint Knicks fans, especially given the historical moment the franchise is going through. Nonetheless, he emphasized that ensuring security during an event of this magnitude is the top priority.

"We understand that, with the Knicks' historic trajectory, some fans will be disappointed. At the same time, our responsibility is to ensure the highest level of public safety. Following careful coordination and assessment, the Secret Service and NYPD jointly determined that outdoor watch parties could not be held in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden due to the security requirements associated with an event of this scale," McCool explained.

The concern for these types of gatherings is not new. Following the Knicks' victory in the second game of the Finals, held in San Antonio, the celebrations in the streets near Madison Square Garden ended with more than twenty people being arrested. According to the police, a woman was even charged with hitting an officer in the face during the incidents after the game.

In fact, before the start of the Finals, the city had considered completely canceling fan gatherings due to issues recorded in spontaneous gatherings during earlier playoff rounds. Ultimately, the authorities reversed their decision and granted permission for the first game, but now the presidential visit has once again disrupted the plans.

No Trump, No Party

Despite the cancellation of the main party around the arena, fans will have alternatives to follow the game. The Knicks will maintain the official watch parties organized at Wollman Rink in Central Park and at Brooklyn Bowl. However, both events had already sold out all available spaces by Sunday afternoon.

Additionally, the franchise issued a special recommendation to its fans for the game. The Knicks asked fans to arrive at Madison Square Garden at least two hours in advance to facilitate the checks resulting from the reinforcement of security measures.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El problemón que causa Donald Trump en el Game 3 de las Finales NBA