Knicks Announce Bag Ban and Extra Screening for Monday Game at Madison Square Garden

The New York Knicks will require fans to arrive at least two hours early and carry no bags for Monday's NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. The team announced the measures Saturday after the president said last week he would attend the game against the San Antonio Spurs. The new procedures include TSA-style screening at the venue, which last hosted an NBA Finals game in 1999.

The Knicks warned ticket holders to bring as little as possible and to expect longer entry lines. The team also canceled all watch parties outside the arena for Monday's 8:40 p.m. game. A watch party held outside the venue on Friday drew about 6,500 people and resulted in 17 arrests, according to the New York Police Department.

Reactions to the President's Attendance Some fans posted on social media that the president's presence would require extra security and could reduce home-court energy. " Rapper Azealia Banks wrote on X that the president should be prevented from attending.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said on SiriusXM Radio that he did not want the president at the game because it would add to existing chaos. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York told CNN the decision to cancel watch parties would prevent the city from celebrating the team's first Finals appearance in 27 years.

The president responded to questions about ticket prices by saying people unable to afford the $8,000 seats could watch on television.