Editor’s note: Click here for live coverage of Game 3 of the NBA Finals and the latest news. Between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
NEW YORK — U.S. President Donald Trump will play Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, as promised.
President Trump arrived at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8, for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to officially attend an NBA Finals game.
After raising the flag and chanting “USA, USA, USA” several times, there were loud boos when President Trump was shown on a large video screen during the national anthem. As the boos grew louder, the president saluted and smiled slightly. The cheers returned when Knicks players appeared on the feed.
Trump was in a suite that was open at the top but protected by thick glass on three sides. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Trump’s granddaughter Kai were in the suite with Trump.
President Trump’s large motorcade arrived at the Garden at 7:28 p.m., and heavy security cordoned off much of Midtown in preparation for Trump’s arrival. The route to the game was down FDR, where he was greeted by signs that read, “We don’t want anyone here” and “Trump must go.”
President Trump previously said he was considering attending the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, at the invitation of Knicks owner James Dolan.
According to multiple reports, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was a “huge Knicks fan even before he ran for office.” “I’ve been around the league for a long time. I used to go to a lot of Knicks games with him. He was at a lot of the drafts that were going on at Madison Square Garden, and years ago when I was running NBA Entertainment, he was actually featured in one of our ‘I love this game’ spots.”
Silver noted that special safety measures will be in place at Monday’s game because President Trump is expected to be in attendance. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani was also scheduled to attend Game 3, but New York’s NBC4 reported that Mamdani bought his own ticket.
President Trump told reporters on Thursday, June 4, that he watched the beginning and end of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs and marveled at 7-foot-4 San Antonio star Victor Wembaneyama. The Knicks are looking to win their first NBA championship since 1973.
“I’ve been a Nick fan for a long time, and I’m a Jim Dolan fan,” Trump said. “He’s a good guy, okay? He’s wanted to win for a long time and he hates losing. He’s got a great team.”
Trump has frequently attended major sporting events during his second term as president, including appearances at the Super Bowl, College Football National Championship Game, Ryder Cup, Daytona 500, and numerous other UFC events. Last year, he also played in the US Open men’s tennis final in New York.
Trump recently attended a PGA Tour and LIV Golf event held at a golf course he owns in May.
President Trump last week indicated he was considering attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals, scheduled for Wednesday night in New York.
