The NBA Finals resume Saturday night, with the series returning to San Antonio for a pivotal Game 5 after a two-day break.
With the Knicks on the verge of securing the franchise’s first championship in over five decades, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took to social media to deliver a message about fan behavior.
“NEW YORK: Tonight, Knicks fans across our city will come together at Plaza 33 outside MSG, Radio City Music Hall, and Wollman Rink to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals. My administration is proud to work with the Knicks to support these watch parties,” he wrote on X.
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The 34-year-old followed with a call for safety, accountability and respect.
“As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city. Let’s go Knicks.”
Mamdani also recently announced that 10 LinkNYC kiosks across New York City will stream Saturday night’s Knicks-Spurs game.
KNICKS MIRACULOUSLY OVERCOME 29-POINT DEFICIT TO TAKE COMMANDING 3-1 LEAD IN NBA FINALS OVER SPURS
“The Knicks belong to all New Yorkers, whether you’re watching from the Garden or not,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Earlier this week, New Yorkers gathered around LinkNYC kiosks to watch one of the greatest comebacks in basketball history. This weekend, we’re running it back. More than a hundred kiosks will turn our sidewalks into watch parties and our streets into celebrations. Knicks in Five.”
The mayor’s social media message follows multiple incidents involving Knicks fans harassing Spurs supporters, some of which escalated into physical violence.
Shortly after the Knicks’ 105-104 win over the Spurs in Game 2, 17 people were arrested at a watch party near Madison Square Garden, ABC7 reported. One person was taken into custody on allegations of striking and injuring a police officer. Authorities noted that a fan entered a restricted area, refused to leave and then punched an officer.
Police said fans in the area became “increasingly disorderly” as the game progressed, according to ABC7.
In another encounter, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was met with hostility as eggs were thrown in the direction of the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year. As of Thursday, “the New York Police Department has not made any arrests,” ESPN reported at the time.
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Game 5 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center, with the Knicks holding a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
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