Security around Madison Square Garden tightens again for Game 4 of the NBA finals as the Knicks chase a 2‑1 series edge over the San Antonio Spurs. A police‑mandated “frozen zone” will seal West 29th to West 35th between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from 4 p.m. onward, blocking motorists and pedestrians without special credentials, even as thousands of fans gather nearby.

The city approved a ticketed watch party for up to 1,000 fans outside the arena, reversing Monday’s cancellation after President Trump’s attendance. Entry points at Sixth and Eighth Avenues will screen attendees; bags, backpacks, alcohol and umbrellas are prohibited despite thunderstorms. Ticket holders can watch the broadcast on large screens, and police will bar any re‑entry.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. blasted Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, saying the perimeter stifles celebrations that have drawn thousands in prior wins. Earlier unrest led to eight arrests, including two for assaulting officers. Official parties also sit at Central Park’s Wollman Rink and Brooklyn Bowl, highlighting rising safety costs for live‑event operators.