Mayor Zohran Mamdani paid roughly $1,000 for a standing-room-only ticket to Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, using access to house tickets not available to regular fans.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

Several blocks around Madison Square Garden will be closed to most people Wednesday afternoon. The city approved a ticketed watch party, though it was unclear whether it would take place.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

James Dolan’s company slams mayor and police commissioner as ‘party poopers’ over large restricted zone

The owner of the New York Knicks basketball team sharply criticized both the New York police department and Zohran Mamdani after city officials announced an extensive security strategy for Game 4 of the NBA finals, featuring a large restricted zone and additional access controls.

The expanded security measures follow Monday’s Game 3 watch party at Bryant Park, where disorder erupted and led to arrests, damage to property, and incidents involving assaults on police officers.

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© Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters

© Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters

© Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters

As New York basks in the attention of a long-awaited N.B.A. finals run, many San Antonians say the Spurs, and the city they represent, are being underestimated.

© Christopher Lee for The New York Times

Fans want to support their team, but they’re not willing to squelch their sense of style.

In bodegas and parks, in bars and pizzerias, the unofficial watch party has taken over New York.

© Todd Heisler/The New York Times