The Knicks are one game away from their first NBA championship in 53 years, a remarkable ascendance for a once beaten-down franchise that has the entire New York City area in a frenzy. Tens of thousands of fans have gathered at watch parties across the tri-state to root for their orange and blue . Some of those parties turned raucous. More than 80 people were taken into custody, nearly 30 of them charged, amid utter fan chaos outside Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden within the last week. The MSG watch party was called off for Game 3 on Monday, given the attendance of President Donald Trump. It was supposed to be back for Game 4 on Wednesday — the city and Knicks announced it, a permit was issued, barricades were set up. Closer to gametime, though, there were still no screens. Knicks owner James Dolan abruptly called the party off, blaming Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Hall for trying to curtail the celebratory atmosphere with a heavy dose of security. Mamdani and the NYPD say the secure zone is necessary for public safety, especially given the rowdiness that erupted at Bryant Park last week. No-pedestrian and no-vehicle zones that were supposed to be in place just for Trump’s visit ended up staying part of the plan, meaning no fans at all could even get within a few blocks of Madison Square Garden. The city approved a ticketed event for 999 people, the maximum amount it says MSG requested. Dolan argued that wasn’t enough, and that it would shut out tens of thousands of fans eager to be part of the festivities. A statement from MSG late Thursday said they declined to use the permit granted by the city “due to the fact that only 1,000 people would be allowed into the area and they would need to be ticketed, leaving the tens of thousands of people who want to come to The Garden to celebrate the Knicks out in the cold. We did not think it was fair to just allow a small group to celebrate outside The Garden when everybody else was being shut out.” Mamdani has said MSG didn’t apply for a bigger permit. This Saturday brings another complication, with a concert happening at MSG. 5 Seconds of Summer is performing its “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” World Tour with special guest The Band Camino. The Wollman Rink at Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl are also hosting free official watchc parties. More details are expected to be announced later Friday. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less