NEW YORK (AP) – New York City is anticipating a chaotic atmosphere this Saturday as the New York Knicks approach a potential championship while Brazil faces Morocco in the FIFA World Cup. Although Game 5 of the NBA Finals is taking place 1,580 miles away in San Antonio, Knicks fans are expected to gather in large numbers near Madison Square Garden to watch the game on bar TVs and big screens, despite the latest city transportation restrictions due to the World Cup.
While the city is currently implementing street closures near Madison Square Garden to accommodate World Cup transportation, security measures for the Knicks fan gatherings remain uncertain. The team has not yet confirmed whether they will host a watch party outside the arena, having previously declined to do so for Game 4 due to tensions surrounding security protocols established following President Donald Trump's visit during Game 3.
This season, Knicks supporters have flocked to Madison Square Garden, dubbed the “Mecca of Basketball,” celebrating their remarkable postseason run with an impressive record of 14 wins in 15 games since April 23. As of now, the Knicks hold a 3-1 lead over the Spurs in the best-of-seven series, prompting heightened excitement among fans.
Compounding the Knicks’ final game of the series with the World Cup, a concert at Madison Square Garden by the Australian pop band 5 Seconds of Summer is set to draw an additional 15,000 to 20,000 people, making an organized watch party at the arena unfeasible. Additionally, a heatwave has prompted city officials to recommend that residents stay indoors for their safety. The next day, another major event—the National Puerto Rican Day Parade—is scheduled to take place in the city.
Celebrations for the Knicks have led to wild scenes outside the Garden following Game 4, where approximately 10,000 fans gathered to cheer. Underground subway cars were filled with cheers as fans attempted to watch the game on their cell phones, despite issues with cell reception. As the game progressed, the New York Police Department reported incidents of increasingly reckless behavior, leading to fights, the setting off of fireworks, and other disorderly conduct.
During this chaos, at least 10 police officers sustained injuries, including one officer who was struck in the head by a glass bottle, while 56 individuals were taken into custody. Among those, 15 were arrested while 41 others received criminal court summonses. Additionally, the NYPD reported ongoing investigations into several violent incidents related to Knicks fandom, including a case where a 17-year-old boy was viciously beaten by a group over a dispute regarding the Knicks and an incident in which eggs were thrown at Spurs players.
In anticipation of the crowded events, New York City has declared a Gridlock Alert for Saturday, expecting severe traffic congestion in midtown Manhattan. Streets adjacent to Madison Square Garden will be closed to vehicles starting at noon, with the expectation that they will remain closed for hours to accommodate fans returning from the World Cup match at MetLife Stadium. The restrictions also include limitations on truck deliveries and bus-only corridors in the Times Square area.
If the Knicks manage to win Game 5, fans are hopeful for a celebratory victory parade through a section of Manhattan known as the Canyon of Heroes. Should they lose, the team will have a chance to regroup and return to Madison Square Garden for Game 6 on Tuesday.
