NEW YORK — For die-hard Knicks fans, the last year has been a long road.
What You Need To Know
- Limited to 10% capacity, Madison Square Garden and the Knicks welcomed back 2,000 fans for the first home game in nearly a year
- In order to attend the game, fans had to bring proof of a negative PCR test, had to complete an online health survey, and agree to a temperature check upon arrival
- The Knicks held a moment of silence honoring the lives lost to COVID-19, and thanked fans and first responders for their support over the last year
- Neighboring businesses also celebrated fans’ return to MSG, including the owners of Mustang Harry’s, who said with the garden and area office buildings empty, that they decided to close for several months during the pandemic
- The Nets also welcomed fans back to their arena under similar protocols, although the Barclays Center allowed just 300 fans inside
“When it shut down, we all thought it was going to be a few weeks. Then all of a sudden it was April, May and June and here we are almost a year later,“ said Anthony Donahue, a longtime Knicks season ticket holder.
Some fans were so excited to be back at MSG that they arrived well before tip off.
To get inside, fans were put through the paces.
“I had to go take a test at the clinic. They had to do a nasal swab, you have to show the results when you enter the garden, and they take your temperature and make you sign a declaration,” said Knicks fan Elgin Swift.
Even with those precautions, state guidelines on capacity limited the in-person crowd to 2,000.
The venue holds a little more than 20,000 at 100% capacity.
Fans weren’t sure what to expect when they arrived but they did know they wanted to be here.
“I just know the Garden is going to be crazy tonight,” said Knicks fan Nicholas Azzato.
At just 10% capacity, those in attendance made a point to be loud to show their support for the team.
The players welcomed their fans in return.
"It's been tough, but we definitely felt your guys love and energy and support” said Knicks player Julius Randle.
Just two blocks away from MSG, the owners of Mustang Harry’s were also celebrating fan’s return to the Garden.
Like many other restaurants across the city they were hit hard by the pandemic, but being located in a neighborhood, full of office buildings, there were months they just couldn’t justify being open.
“We were almost closed for a year and we still had St. Patrick’s Day decorations up. In fact, we could have left them up,” said co-owner Ian Conroy.
Being around for fans return to Madison Square Garden was important to the two brothers who’ve operated this family owned business for more than 20 years.
While much of the area is now occupied by big companies, they still think of their customers as family.
“A lot of our clients have been season ticket holders since we’ve been here and we’ve been here 25 years, going on 26. So, we’ve been friendly with our customers and along with them being customers they are friends of ours. So, we get to see them now,” said Conroy.
However, fans returning to MSG alone won’t be a slam dunk for neighboring businesses.
The owners of Mustang Harry’s said their success counts on venues and businesses continuing to open.
They said as long as it’s safe to do that, people will get more comfortable doing the things they used to — like going out to dinner or going to a game.
Meanwhile in Brooklyn, the Nets had a soft opening with just 300 fans, who had to undergo a similar screening process seen at the Garden. The Barclays Center is including testing before each game as part of the ticket price.
Officials at the Barclays Center say they will work their way up to 10% capacity, which will mean welcoming back about 1,800 fans per game, after the NBA All-Star break, which is scheduled for the weekend of March 7.
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This story includes reporting from Alyssa Paolicelli.
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