Secret Service-level security for NBA Finals with Trump attending Game 3

Road closures, no watch parties, bag bans and a gauntlet of security measures will greet fans when they arrive at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, as United States President Donald Trump descends on the heart of Manhattan to ⁠watch the New York Knicks play the San Antonio Spurs at home.

The Knicks have defied the odds to build a 2-0 head start in the best-of-seven series before their first home game of the finals on Monday.

The New York side won two games on the road as French superstar Victor Wembanyama has failed to meet expectations ⁠in the championship series for the Spurs.

With nearby MetLife Stadium set to host its first of eight World Cup matches in a week, the NBA Finals have taken the spotlight from the huge global tournament in New York – for now – with even the cheapest tickets available on resale platform StubHub topping $9,000 as of Saturday night.

The Secret Service urged ticket holders to arrive early to the self-styled “World’s Most Famous Arena”, which sits above the busiest transit hub ‌in the US, Penn Station, and will see the NBA Finals for the first time in more than a quarter-century with Trump in attendance.

“Attendees should anticipate hard street closures in the immediate area surrounding Madison Square Garden,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said.

“A strict no-bag policy will be enforced, and we want to communicate that early and broadly so fans can plan accordingly. Attendees should also expect Secret Service-level security screening, similar to airport screening procedures.”

Train services on the local subway and Long Island Rail Road commuter line are expected to continue uninterrupted through Penn Station.