The New York Knicks will host a watch party for 3,000 fans outside Madison Square Garden for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. This comes after not holding one for the previous game due to discussions with the city and the Police Department over strict security measures.
The Knicks have won three out of four games in the best-of-seven championship series against the San Antonio Spurs. A victory on Saturday would mark their first championship in over five decades.
While the excitement has led to some arrests and injuries among police, the celebrations have been largely peaceful. For Games 3 and 4, which were at Madison Square Garden, the Police Department established a ‘frozen zone’ with checkpoints that spanned several blocks around the arena.
The announcement for the Game 5 watch party also mentioned a frozen zone, though details about its start time and reach are yet to be confirmed. The game, played in San Antonio, starts at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time.
How to Attend an Official Game 5 Watch Party
- Plaza33: This watch party outside Madison Square Garden requires tickets. Registration opens at 10 a.m. Saturday, and attendees must be present by 8:30 p.m.
- Radio City Music Hall: Tickets cost $10, with proceeds going to the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Sales begin at 10 a.m., and doors open at 7 p.m.
- Wollman Rink in Central Park: This event is free, but registration is necessary, starting at 10 a.m. Gates open at 7 p.m.
- LinkNYC: Over 100 LinkNYC kiosks across the city will stream Game 5. Mayor Zohran Mamdani noted these kiosks would turn sidewalks into watch parties and streets into celebrations, proclaiming, “Knicks in Five.”
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as they develop.

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