NEW YORK — It is still going to be expensive to go to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Just not as pricey as it could have been. The Knicks had a chance to move within one win of a championship Monday. Instead, they saw their 13-game postseason winning streak end in a 115-111 loss to the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Sellers were seeking five figures even for the cheapest seats on the secondary market for a potential title clinching Game 4. That presumably won’t happen now. During Monday’s game, the cheapest pair of tickets available on SeatGeek were going for $13,000 each. But the Knicks no longer have a chance to win their first title since 1973 on Wednesday.
Fans, who went home unhappy, had to wait longer than usual to get in the building for Game 3. President Trump’s arrival caused delays with ingress, as fans and media went through stricter security protocols before entering MSG.
The energy in the Garden was electric throughout, however, with fans who paid thousands of dollars to be there mostly getting their money’s worth.
There were chill-inducing roars when the Knicks came out of the tunnel for warmups, and the vibe only ratcheted up during pregame introductions via iconic PA announcer Mike Walczewski, with cheers reaching a crescendo for Knicks G Jalen Brunson.
Trump was booed when he was shown on the jumbotron saluting the flag during the National Anthem. The 47th President watched the game from Suite 47, which was barricaded by thick glass.
“He’s welcome to be here,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during a pregame interview on “NBA Tip-Off.” “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is it’s something that we have in common. We should look for those things that we have in common and build off that.”
Trump was later shown on the ABC broadcast following a second-quarter commercial break sitting next to Knicks owner James Dolan. Trump was a guest of Dolan. He is the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. Trump has also taken in N.Y. sporting events including the U.S. Open, UFC and a Yankees game.
“Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans here but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said while referring to Trump, a native New Yorker, as a “genuine Knicks fan.” “So people listened, they came early, they got through whatever extra security which is necessary. As I said, I think we should be using sports to create more of a sense of community with people, not less.”
There may not have been the usual watch parties outside MSG, but watch parties were held at Bryant Park, Wollman Rink (Central Park) and Brooklyn Bowl. Employees from FanDuel Sportsbook also passed out free T-shirts until 7 p.m. on 42nd St. and Broadway.
At 4 p.m. all vehicular and pedestrian traffic was closed from West 30th St. to West 35th St. between Sixth Ave. and Eighth Ave. Only those with game tickets, train tickets for Penn Station or authorized credentials were allowed to be in the area.
Fans were asked to arrive at least two hours prior to the 8:42 p.m. tipoff. A security wall lined the perimeter near the entrance on 33rd St. and Eighth Ave. Trump’s motorcade arrived a little more than an hour before tip. The concourse was packed with fans, as were lines with customers seeking F&B and merchandise. All fans in attendance received a t-shirt, towel and commemorative ticket.
Trump told reporters on the tarmac before leaving New York that the response was “amazing, actually, even when they had the camera on me. ... Mostly cheers. It was loud and very enthusiastic.”
