Trump Attends NBA Finals Game at Madison Square Garden

On Monday night, President Trump was spotted saluting the flag at Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks faced off against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks the first occasion that a sitting president has attended an NBA Finals game.

While seated in the MSG suite, Trump faced boos from Knicks fans who were shown on the jumbotron during the national anthem. He was there as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, accompanied by a group that included EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

This game is significant as it’s the first time in 27 years that the Finals are being played at the Knicks’ home court. Currently, the Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, aiming for their first championship since 1973.

The event attracted several celebrities, including New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Dave Chappelle, Larry David, and Pete Davidson, although none were seated near the president.

Due to Trump’s presence, the usual energetic watch parties outside Madison Square Garden were moved to different locations in the city. The Secret Service and NYPD established a security perimeter around the venue ahead of his arrival. A no-bag policy was also put in place for attendees, and everyone entering was screened using TSA-style magnetometers.

A line formed hours before tipoff, wrapping around the building as fans waited to enter the arena.

Trump, known for his love of sports, has attended numerous major events since starting his second term. These include Super Bowl XI in New Orleans, the College Football Playoff national championship in Miami, the men’s U.S. Open tennis finals in Queens, and the Daytona 500 auto race in Florida.

Earlier, Trump expressed excitement about the Knicks’ playoff journey, praising owner Jim Dolan and noting the team’s improvement after years of struggle. “What a team! They’re winning every game,” he remarked.

However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) questioned Trump’s loyalty to the team, suggesting he might not really know much about basketball. He implied that Trump’s attendance was more about creating attention than genuine support for the Knicks, deeming it a “shame.” Meanwhile, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson mentioned it was “cool” for Trump to be at the game but affirmed that the team would stay focused, regardless of who was in attendance.