Manhattan, already notorious for its congestion, is set to become even busier on Monday as the New York Knicks face off against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The city’s streets and subways are anticipated to be teeming with basketball enthusiasts flocking to bars and public viewing events. Adding to the hustle and bustle is President Donald Trump’s extensive security detail.
Similar to the traffic challenges posed by the United Nations General Assembly gatherings, New Yorkers should brace for significant travel disruptions.
Fans attending the game should also be prepared for extended security checks as they make their way into the venue.
Amid these concerns, ESPN host and die-hard Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith is urging Trump to reconsider his plans to attend Game 3.
During his SiriusXM show on Thursday, Smith expressed his concerns, saying, “He’s coming to Game 3 of the Finals, and I don’t want him there. This isn’t about politics or policy. It’s about the additional chaos his presence would bring to Madison Square Garden. If it were Barack Obama attending, I’d say the same—stay home, stay at the White House.”
Smith wasn’t getting political when he urged Donald Trump to stay out of New York
Trump plans to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday
‘You don’t understand what Monday is going to be like in New York City,’ Smith continued. ‘The subways will never be more packed. Don’t drive your cars in Midtown. It will be a parking lot. There is nothing short of madness that is coming the way of everybody come Monday. You don’t understand. I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I’m telling you right now, come Monday, for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports.’
Then there is the possibility that Trump’s presence draws protestors around MSG.
‘This is why I don’t want the president there,’ Smith added. ‘I don’t want people preoccupied with politics and policy, nor do I want him blocking traffic and making it hell for people to enter the freaking arena. I don’t want that problem.’
On Thursday Trump confirmed his plans, which had been rumored since the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
‘They’re a great team and I’m happy for [Knicks owner James Dolan] because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team,’ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. ‘The answer is yes, he’s invited me and I’m going.’
Trump then suggested he could see Games 3 and 4 at the Garden.
‘Maybe I’ll do both.’
While Trump could find his way to celebrity row, Mamdani is expected to be in the nosebleeds
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to attend the game, but previously told TMZ he won’t be sitting with Trump. Typically, Mamdani has been seen in the nosebleed seats whenever he’s been at the Garden.
Security is expected to be bolstered ahead of Game 3 with potentially longer lines for fans entering the building.
New York took a 1-0 series lead with a comeback win over the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday night. Game 2 will tip-off on Friday at 8:30pm EST.
Prior to Game 1, NBA commissioner Adam Silver voiced his support for Trump’s attendance at the Garden on Monday.
Mamdani and Trump (both seen here in November) are expected to be at Monday’s Game 3
‘Before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,’ Silver said of Trump. ‘I’ve been with the league for a long time. I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days.
‘He attended many of our drafts when they used to take place at Madison Square Garden, and he actually appeared in one of our ‘I love this Game’ spots when I was running NBA entertainment years ago.’
Mamdani has been enjoying the Knicks’ run as much as anyone. While New Yorkers have poured into the streets during their ongoing 12-game playoff winning streak, their Mayor playfully invited Spurs center Victor Wembanyama to a Monday hearing in the city.
‘I’m pleased to invite @Wemby to our second Commission on Government Efficiency hearing on Wednesday June 10th 5-8pm, where we’ll be asking the public for their thoughts on how government can run better,’ Mamdani wrote. ‘Would love to have you there for the whole time!’
That hearing is scheduled to end just as Game 3 of the Finals tips off at MSG.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals is scheduled to tip-off at Madison Square Garden around 8:30pm
Wembanyama hasn’t responded to Mamdani’s offer to attend a hearing on Monday in the city
Mamdani would certainly welcome the 7ft 5in reigning Defensive Player of the Year for the hearing, but his post was an obvious joke that seemed lost on a number of NBA fans.
‘Wemby is not a Knick, not a New Yorker, and not even an American,’ one irate fan wrote on X. ‘Wtf is this.’
‘Wait isn’t that a game day?’ another asked.
One particularly lost fan suggested Mamdani invite someone from the home team instead: ‘Why wemby? Why not a Knick?’
Of course, a great number of Knicks fans were happy to play along in the pre-game euphoria ahead of the Finals opener.
‘Wemby, when the NYC mayor invites you to something you do not turn it down,’ one fan wrote to Western Conference Finals MVP. ‘Show up, June 10th between 5 to 8 pm.’
Another suggested Mamdani ‘should push it to 9pm to make sure everyone gets their thoughts out,’ adding: ‘Wemby would appreciate this.’
