New York Police Lift Ban On Knicks 'Watch Parties' Ahead Of NBA Finals

The New York Knicks have a chance to send the Big Apple into an absolute frenzy this June, make no mistake about it.

Knicks fans have been waiting to watch their team compete in the NBA Finals for over two decades, so there's no question they're eager for Game 1 to officially begin. Will they be allowed to party outside of Madison Square Garden though?

During the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Police Department pulled the plug on watch parties outside of MSG.

"Games 1 and 2 have seen progressively more problematic issues at the watch parties outside MSG - six arrests last night alone - so the NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium," a police department spokesperson told the New York Post.

Interestingly enough, the NYPD have lifted that ban in time for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. SNY's Ian Begley broke this news on Wednesday morning.

"The NYPD ban on Knicks watch parties directly outside Madison Square Garden has been lifted for tonight, per SNY sources. The NYPD had previously banned watch parties in Plaza 33 during the ECF," Begley wrote. "But they've reversed the decision for Game 1 on Wednesday night. An MSG spokesperson confirmed that the Garden has applied for permits to host the Plaza 33 party tonight and those permits have been granted. The permit is solely for tonight's Game 1. Status for future watch parties is TBD. The NYPD previously banned the watch parties outside MSG during the ECF against the Cavaliers for being too rowdy."

The Knicks are underdogs for the NBA Finals.

The Spurs are favored to defeat the Knicks in the Finals, which isn't exactly a surprise considering they just took down the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Knicks star Jalen Brunson isn't too worried about oddsmakers overlooking his squad. If anything, he's comfortable being doubted.

"We've been doubted a lot," Brunson said. "There's been a lot of noise from the outside that we could talk about, complain about, do something about – but we've always gone back to the gym and worked on our game. We can't be satisfied just because we're here."

Do you think the Knicks will complete their playoff run with their first title since 1973.

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