There were intense security protocols in place Monday ahead of the New York Knicks’ first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999 due to President Donald Trump’s attendance. Only ticketed fans and those with business inside the immediate area of the stadium could frequent a designated radius around the arena, marked by a steel fence, with limited access points and restrictions on what attendees could bring to the game.
The President will not be in attendance for Wednesday’s Game 4, so the team is bringing back its watch party outside the Garden. Yet it will feature a similar security perimeter to Game 3 — which will close all traffic from 29th to 35th Streets between 6th and 8th Avenues — after a series of arrests following the Knicks’ 115-111 Game 3 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs.
That led Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation, which owns the Knicks, to issue a statement Tuesday calling New York City Police Department commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Zohran Mamdani the city’s “biggest party poopers” for retaining those restrictions around the Garden.
“The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood,” the statement said.
With much of the focus on the game itself, we spent Game 3 at one of the local businesses, O’Brien’s Bar and Grill, located on 31st Street directly across from the Garden, to see the impact of the security perimeter on what should have been one of the busiest nights ever for the establishment.
This interview with O’Brien’s owner, Michael O’Brien, conducted prior to Game 3, has been lightly edited for clarity.
What’s today been like for you?
Unfortunately, because of Trump, (there’s) difficulty getting in for some of our customers. Security is beyond tight today. But in general, everyone is very excited to be here. Can’t wait for finally being home for Game 3. I think everyone is expecting a sweep now. Hopefully we get it, and hopefully Larry O’Brien comes across the street on Wednesday night.
You mentioned the tight security. We got in here before the perimeter closed. What have you heard from season ticket holders? Regulars? What’s been the vibe with trying to get people in the bar?
Everyone is being told something different according to when they get here. It seems to be changing on a 10-minute, 15-minute basis. Right now, we’re told to get here from 31st (Street) and 8th (Avenue), and they’ll let you walk up the block if you mention you’re going to the bar. Ten minutes from now, that might change (and) they’re relocating everything. That keeps everybody, I guess, unsure of what the security protocols are. But (shrug).
As one of the few bars that’s open inside the perimeter, what’s that been like? How do you approach that?
We just hope everyone can get access to the establishment. It’s great being across the street every other game. It’s been one of the assets. Today, not so much, because it’s very hard to get here. But once you get here, you’re going to have a great time.
You said this bar has been open upstairs since 2019. Is this the craziest day you’ve had on the job?
We haven’t seen (anything like it). Not today, just in general. The run that (the Knicks) have had recently, we haven’t seen this hype. It’s been getting more and more every game, every series. I mean, wall-to-wall people for the road games. It’s been a phenomenal atmosphere. I think it’s the only sport where New York is united. We’re all Knick fans.
We are right behind the VIP entrance to MSG. Which New York super fan would you want to see walk by?
I’d rather see them in the bar than walking by (laughs). We’ve had quite a few come in the bar over the years . … We’ve had plenty of stars come in at other times, so we’re more than welcome and ready to serve.
I heard you might have a ticket tonight?
I don’t have one yet, but anyone that has one available, I’m more than ready and willing to go.
