Hundreds of Knicks fans pack Brooklyn Bowl for Game 3 watch party in Williamsburg
City leaders said the watch party outside of MSG was shut down temporarily, as President Donald Trump attended Game 3.
Knicks fans were out in full force on Monday, as they cheered on their hometown team during Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
“It’s one of the first times I've seen New Yorkers just willingly say hello to each other and dapping each other up,” said Ligardy Termonfils, a Knicks fan.
“If we take [the championship], I think it’s going to be amazing,” said Devante Smith, another Knicks fan. “The energy is electric in the city.”
Smith was the first person in line for the watch party at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg.
He told News 12 that he left his Bronx apartment around 2 p.m.
“Oh, I’ve been out here [in Williamsburg] since 4:40,” said Smith. “I always come out early because I'm trying to beat everybody else.”
Smith beat more than 850 fans inside, where Brooklyn Bowl was less bowling and more basketball.
“I’ve been at [Madison Square Garden], the watch party at MSG; but as you know, it got shut down,” said Smith.
City leaders said the watch party outside of MSG was shut down temporarily, as President Donald Trump attended Game 3.
The heightened security in Midtown made fans pivot to other plans.
“We had to find a cohesive place where we could all just come, be cool, be active, be in support without being held back by gates, cages, barricades and bars,” said Termonfils.
It seemed like nothing could hold back the fanbase when watching New York’s first NBA Finals home game in 27 years.
“Brooklyn Bowl was the best option,” said Termonfils. “I’m from Brooklyn, so I had to come. Game 3 at home, can’t be at the Garden. Next best place to be is to be right in my borough.”
Brooklyn Bowl is hosting another watch party for Game 4 on Wednesday. Fans are asked to RSVP, and the event is first-come, first-served.
