NYPD makes dramatic U-turn as Knicks fans get green light to watch Game 1 of NBA Finals outside Madison Square Garden
The NYPD has reportedly lifted its ban on Knicks watch parties outside Madison Square Garden ahead of the NBA Finals.
New York is back in the finals for the first time in nearly three decades, with Mike Brown’s team eyeing a first championship since 1973.
The Knicks will face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in a rerun of their showdown in 1999. And, in a shock twist just hours before Game 1 on Wednesday night, fans can now gather in Plaza 33 to watch.
As reported by SNY, the NYPD previously banned watch parties outside MSG during the Knicks’ sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
That decision was based on fans being too rowdy but now, SNY reports, MSG has successfully applied for a permit to host a party in Plaza 33 on Wednesday night.
It remains unclear whether more watch parties will be allowed for Game 2 and beyond, with the current permit covering only Game 1 in San Antonio.
The NYPD has lifted its ban on Knicks watch parties outside MSG ahead of the NBA Finals
It is the Knicks’ ninth time in the title series, and the eighth time they’ve played Game 1 on the road. For the Spurs, it is a seventh title series and the sixth Game 1 at home.
The Knicks have not played in the finals since losing to the Spurs in 1999, while the Spurs have not been there since beating the Miami Heat in 2014.
‘I think we’re just locked in and focused on the task at hand,’ Knicks forward Josh Hart said.
‘Then we can look back when everything is all said and done and really embrace this process and this run. It’s an honor, but can´t focus too much on the outside world and the run so far.’
Coming into this series, the Knicks are on a run of 11 straight wins by a total of 262 points, the most lopsided 11-game run – regular season or playoffs – in NBA history.
The Spurs have a different kind of streak going into Wednesday night. They have never lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals, going 6-0 in openers when they make the title round.
