President Trump to Attend NBA Finals in NYC

President Trump plans to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York City, featuring the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, on June 8. According to sources, Trump, a Knicks fan and native New Yorker, accepted an invitation from the team’s owner, James Dolan, who has made political donations to Trump.

Law enforcement is preparing heightened security measures for the game, as Madison Square Garden, located above Penn Station, is a key transit hub. Both Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are set to attend, though separately. Mamdani’s attendance was reported by the New York Post.

Trump had intended to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, which did not occur due to the Knicks sweeping the series.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commented on the significance of sports, highlighting how it brings people together in an increasingly divided society.

Throughout his presidency, Trump attended major sporting events, including the 2025 Super Bowl and college football national championship. Former President Obama was the last sitting president to attend an NBA game.

Trump’s previous interactions with the NBA were often contentious, including criticisms of players protesting police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem, and disputes with NBA superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Trump’s remarks in 2020 considered the NBA too political, affecting its ratings.

Trump’s criticism extended to NBA figures like Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich regarding their views on China, reflecting the complex political interactions involving sports.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama expressed his concerns over Trump’s immigration policies, stating they horrify him. These comments followed news involving the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Before his presidency, Trump enjoyed the NBA and supported figures like James, tweeting congratulations for championship victories and participating in campaigns to attract star players to his hometown Knicks.

During the early 2010s, Trump appeared frequently at Knicks games and supported moments like Jeremy Lin’s rise. His opinions were vocal when teams like the Knicks and Nets underperformed despite significant investments.