Excitement is reaching a fever pitch in New York City as the Knicks prepare to host Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, marking the first Finals game at the iconic venue in 27 years. The city has collectively embraced this Knicks team, which has won 13 straight playoff games and taken a 2-0 lead in the championship series against the San Antonio Spurs. The anticipation has created an unprecedented demand for tickets and a "craziest atmosphere in NBA history" is expected for Monday night's game.

The high demand has driven ticket prices to extraordinary levels. Despite some resale prices dropping on Sunday, seats for Game 3 were still offered for a minimum of around $6,000 on platforms like TickPick, with the most expensive listings reaching over $55,000. Earlier in the week, some tickets were even offered for more than $100,000. These exorbitant prices have drawn comments from players, with Knicks guard Josh Hart lamenting that many long-time fans are priced out. Resale tickets for future games, such as Game 4 and a potential Game 6, also remain very high, as fans hope to witness a Knicks championship clinch – their first since 1973.

Adding to the unique atmosphere is the anticipated attendance of high-profile figures. Donald Trump is expected to become the first sitting U.S. President to attend an NBA Finals game, leading to increased Secret Service presence and strict security measures, including a no-bags policy for attendees. All watch parties outside Madison Square Garden have been canceled by the NYPD and Secret Service. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also plans to attend, though he stated he would be in a "very different section" from the former President.

Despite the potential distractions, the Knicks players, accustomed to celebrity-laden crowds and passionate fans, expressed confidence in their ability to concentrate. Josh Hart noted his experience tuning out noise from playing for a national championship at Villanova. Deuce McBride, who has been with the Knicks since 2021, highlighted the team's familiarity with intense atmospheres, referencing Steph Curry's record-breaking game at the Garden. The opposing San Antonio Spurs, a comparatively younger team, face the challenge of a hostile environment. However, their 7-4 center, Victor Wembanyama, stated he practices isolating himself from distractions, comparing the atmosphere to the Olympics where everyone would be cheering for the other team.