The New York Knicks are coming home this week on their quest to win the team’s first N.B.A. championship in 53 years. The team, which has a two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-seven series, is taking on the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.
President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani are expected to attend the game, bringing with them heightened security at the Garden and in the surrounding area in Midtown Manhattan.
Here’s what to know.
What will security be like at the game?
Jessica Tisch, the police commissioner, advised people to steer clear of the area near the Garden if they don’t need to be there. Those who do can expect a security experience akin to flying or ringing in the New Year in Times Square.
Starting at 4 p.m., the area between West 30th and West 35th Streets from Sixth to Eighth Avenues will be closed to most pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Limited exceptions exist for people attending the game; ticketed commuters; customers and workers at local businesses; and others with credentials or an authorized reason to be in the area.
People who are allowed into the sequestered area will be required to enter through five entry points, where they will be screened with airport-style magnetometers.
The entry points will be at:
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Sixth Avenue at West 32nd and West 33rd Streets
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Seventh Avenue at West 29th Street
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Eighth Avenue at West 30th and West 34th Streets
Pedestrians and vehicles permitted to enter the area will not be allowed to travel east or west, Commissioner Tisch said. The restrictions will remain in place through the night, regardless of whether Mr. Trump stays until the game ends or leaves early, she said.
Matt McCool, the director of the Secret Service field office in New York, described a ground-to-sky security operation that includes agents, marshals, transportation security officers, tactical teams and drones. Thousands of New York City police officers will also be on patrol. Scott Munro, the president of the police detectives’ union, said that at least 800 detectives are working in the area.
Mr. McCool advised fans attending the game to arrive at least two hours early and to leave all bags and alcohol at home. (The Secret Service has a list of prohibited items.)
“I’m very confident that ticketed attendees who follow these recommendations — plan ahead, arrive early and come prepared — will be able to enjoy this historic moment in New York City,” he said.
Will there be a watch party outside the Garden?
No. The watch party for Game 3 has been canceled because of security concerns. And businesses within the security perimeter can offer only limited capacity for patrons.
Three free official watch parties are set for Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, the Wollman Rink in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. Registration opened at noon for the Bryant Park event, which can host up to 5,000 people. All three parties quickly filled up, and registration has closed.
Still, fans have hundreds of options for watching the game at the city’s restaurants and bars. Some fans have gotten creative, setting up TVs in car trunks and using projectors to show the game outside.
Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, said many bars in the area have doubled their security ahead of the game and added more staff to have “extra eyes” on the fans they expect to flow through the area. Managers will also stay in frequent touch with the Police Department and have a direct line to a commanding officer should there be any issues, he said.
“Bars and restaurants are used to having people in and out, but this is at another level right now,” Mr. Rigie said at a separate news conference at the Versa restaurant about two blocks from the Garden.
The Knicks’ postseason run has the potential to generate $465 million in economic activity for the city, according to the mayor’s office. Mr. Rigie said it was a boon to the city’s restaurants and small businesses, which have not fully recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms. Tisch said that the watch party outside the Garden would return on Wednesday for Game 4, which could be the last game of the series if the Knicks continue their winning streak.
How will the game affect transit at Penn Station?
More police officers will be patrolling the station after six people were stabbed on Sunday inside the station in an area protected by Amtrak police.
Despite tight security, officials said rail service below the Garden at Pennsylvania Station would not be affected. Penn Station is a massive commuter hub with subway, NJ Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak service.
For access to public transportation at Penn Station, Ms. Tisch said it would be best for passengers to enter through Moynihan Train Hall, which is connected to the station, and walk over. The hall, which serves Amtrak and the L.I.R.R., has entrances that are outside the security zone on the west side of Eighth Avenue at West 31st and 33rd Streets, Ms. Tisch said.
Miles G. Cohen contributed reporting.
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