Madison Square Garden ready to host the New York Knicks on Friday
The New York Knicks no longer have to scramble to find a venue for the team’s scheduled home game against the Washington Wizards on Friday 5 November.
The Knicks' scheduled game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday 2 November was postponed due to concerns that the harmful asbestos had reached the seating areas of the arena. But in a
recently released statement, everything seems to be ready to go for Friday.
"After receiving assurance from the city and environmental experts regarding the safety of the arena for our customers and employees, all events at Madison Square Garden, beginning with
Friday night's Knicks game, will go on as scheduled," the Knicks said in a statement. "We have been working with the appropriate experts to confirm the arena is safe since debris fell during overnight work Monday."
While the Knicks were confident they could have their arena ready in time for Friday’s game, they wanted a contingency plan.
Team officials had reached out to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, home to the New Jersey Nets, as an alternative for Friday’s game after asbestos was reportedly released
in Madison Square Garden following a cleaning process.
“If it gets on past Thursday (the cleaning process), the Knicks said they'll get back to the people in Newark,” said an anonymous official at the Prudential Center.
The New Jersey Devils are set to play an evening game against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on Friday but a scenario where the Knicks would play during the day was being
considered. The game would have had to be in the early afternoon to give arena workers ample time to convert the floor from an NBA court to an NHL rink.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni was surprised when he heard Tuesday’s game was postponed.
"It was pretty bizarre," he said. "I've had 'em canceled for snow every once in a while. But nothing from cleaning it up. So, it happens.”
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