Chaos outside Madison Square Garden as thousands of fans beg to be let in to NBA Finals and lines stretch across Midtown ahead of Trump’s arrival

Fans who have paid tens of thousands to watch the New York Knicks in the NBA finals faced the very real prospect of missing the start of the game due to the extensive security measures in place to accommodate President Trump.

Thousands of fans were stuck outside of Madison Square Garden ahead of the President’s arrival. Some fans even claimed they were told by police that they were unsure of the protocols that should be enforced surrounding Trump’s attendance.

Lines to get in were said to start at least four blocks away from MSG, while metal detectors were set up 200 feet away from the venue that every fan would have to pass through with the Secret Service watching on.

The New York Police Department and Secret Service established a multiblock security perimeter around the arena and, controversially, canceled the hugely popular watch parties outside of the venue. Ticket holders have also been stopped from bringing bags inside.

The Knicks lead the series against the San Antonio Spurs 2-0, igniting wild excitement across the city of New York ahead of Game 3. Fans across the city are desperate to see the team clinch their first championship this century. 

The Knicks last made the NBA Finals in 1999 and have not won one since 1973. 

But Trump’s attendance has now seemed to dent the excitement around the big night for those lucky enough to have gotten their hands on the hottest ticket in town.

Those tickets rocketed in price after the Knicks stormed into a 2-0 lead from the first two games in San Antonio – fans were splahing out over $10,000 for the cheapest seats in the world famous venue. 

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