The New York Knicks will enact new security procedures for fans at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals with United States President Donald Trump expected to attend the contest.
The Knicks announced Saturday that a no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should arrive “at least two hours before tip-off” to allow additional time for “TSA-style screening procedures.”
New York will have an opportunity to take a 3-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals after winning Game 1 and Game 2 on the road.
The increased security measures are understandable, as the league previously said it believes no other sitting president has ever attended a Finals game.
“There should be extra security for the president of the United States to be at a game, but I think the fans are very understanding of that,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday, per ESPN’s Ben Golliver. “I think they recognize that it adds to the bigness of the event.”
New York came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to win Game 1 against San Antonio, as star point guard Jalen Brunson buried multiple clutch jumpers to seal the victory.
While the Knicks blew their own 14-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Friday, they ultimately wrapped up the win due to a game-tying bucket from Brunson and a costly turnover by Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the game’s waning seconds.
New York will now look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead and move one step closer to ending the organization’s 53-year championship drought.
Tipoff for Game 3 on Monday is for 8:30 p.m. ET.