Pedestrian traffic restricted in Midtown Manhattan as Trump’s NBA Finals trip spurs intense security

By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK, June 8 (Reuters) – Pedestrian traffic will be restricted in several blocks around Madison Square Garden on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump attends Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

The Knicks will be playing their first home game in 27 years and are on a stunning 13-game postseason winning streak. They return home after a pair of away wins that put them 2-0 up in the best-of-seven final and the five boroughs were abuzz with anticipation, with tickets reaching sky-high prices on resale platforms.

Trump’s planned attendance has stepped up security plans for the weekend, and on Monday the New York Police Department said pedestrians would not be allowed into a secure area around the arena between West 35th and 30th Streets and Sixth and Eighth Avenues without “authorized cause.”

“In conjunction with tonight’s presidential visit, extra security measures will be taken in and around MSG, planned jointly by the NYPD and the Secret Service,” the NYPD said in a statement posted on social media.

“No one will be allowed into the secure area unless you have a game ticket, a train ticket, are attending a business in the area, have identification or have another authorized reason for being there,” he said.

Those entering the secure area will be screened and only allowed to enter through a few access points.

The Secret Service had previously warned ticket holders to arrive two hours early for the venue, long known as the “World’s Most Famous Arena” and located atop Penn Station, the busiest transit hub in the United States.

Fans should expect “Secret Service-level security screening” with a bagless policy.

A viewing party for fans held outside MSG for previous playoff games will not be held Monday due to safety concerns, the NYPD said Sunday.

During his second term, Trump attended several high-profile sporting events, including the US Open men’s tennis final in “Flushing, Queens”; Thousands of ticket holders missed the start of the match here as security checks regarding attendance caused confusion and slowed entry.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)