Zohran Mamdani has been all-in for the New York Knicks and their fans during the NBA Finals, and has even made extra efforts to set up watch parties when Madison Square Garden says otherwise.
The trendy mayor is going viral right now as the NBA Finals continue to heat up and the NY Knicks stay in the lead. Last week, for the fourth game, many fans were disappointed when Madison Square Garden and the owner of the team canceled a setup watch party outside the venue. However, the young mayor announced and revealed the locations of other parties occurring in other Big Apple locations, garnering praise on social media. Read more about the situation below.
When James Dolan cancels the watch party outside MSG, we bring the watch party to you.
Thanks to the @NBA, Knicks Game 4 is now playing on dozens of @LinkNYC screens across our city.
LGK. pic.twitter.com/gRcYjobzSV
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) June 11, 2026
Zohran Mamdani Promotes NY Knicks Watch Parties After The One Outside MSG Is Shut Down
One of the most talked about events in pop culture right now is most definitely the NBA Finals, with the New York Knicks giving a historical performance that has not just most of New York City, but people from around the world cheering for them.
Because the games have gotten so intense, with fans getting extra excited and rowdy both inside and outside the alternating venues, including Madison Square Garden, security measures have also increased. Things were especially locked down when President Trump attended game three at MSG, and the NYPD announced they were creating a secure perimeter on the blocks surrounding the venue, kicking out fans who enjoyed watching from outside without tickets.
Before the fourth game on Wednesday, June 10th, Mayor Mamdani revealed he had, and MSG requested a permit for between 500 and 999 watch-party attendees outside, and that the city approved it for 999 fans. However, just a few hours before the game began, James Dolan, owner of the venue and the NY Knicks, canceled the event.
“Mr. Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party,” responded Mamdani in a post on X. “I know this is breaking hearts across our city. But if there’s one thing Knicks fans don’t need permission for, it’s showing up for our team wherever we may be — no matter the block or the borough.”
Hours later, he wrote, “When James Dolan cancels the watch party outside MSG, we bring the watch party to you. Thanks to the @NBA, Knicks Game 4 is now playing on dozens of @LinkNYC screens across our city,” sharing that the game would be projected by various screens on sidewalks around the city.
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Fans Praise Mayor Mamdani On Social Media
In addition to livestreaming the basketball game for fans on Link kiosks around the boroughs, the mayor's office also continued to direct Knicks fans to watch parties in parks like Bryant Park and venues like Brooklyn Bowl.
He was also filmed in bars and other venues wearing a Knicks jersey under his suits while cheering on the city's team with other fans, as seen in viral clips online like this one.
After seeing the mayor's support for not only his city's team but also for fans who want to watch but can't afford or were unable to get tickets, numerous people praised him and his work on various social media platforms.
"He's not up front," wrote a fan on Instagram. "He's not at some high-class party uptown. He's in a bar with the people of his city. This is another kinda of leader."
"I'm not from NYC, but that's my mayor," joked another.
"He is setting such a high bar for elected representatives moving forward in America," commented a fan. "He truly is proving that listening and understanding your people truly is the first step. Next, deliver your promises. He's done nothing if not surpassed every expectation he has set for himself as mayor of NYC. Thank you, Mamdani, for bringing hope back into America!"
"He's the people's mayor," added a user.
