During the NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, former President Donald Trump faced a chorus of boos from the crowd when he appeared on the arena’s video screens during the national anthem. This marked the first time a sitting president attended an NBA Finals event.
As singer Avery Wilson delivered “The Star-Spangled Banner,” chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” resonated throughout the venue. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically to boos when Trump was shown saluting on the jumbotron. The disapproval subsided when the U.S. flag was displayed, and the crowd erupted in cheers for the New York Knicks players. Conversely, mentions of the San Antonio Spurs drew loud jeers from the audience.
Trump observed Game 3 from a suite owned by Knicks chairman James Dolan, accompanied by his granddaughter Kai, advisor Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet members Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy, and Doug Burgum. He initially sat next to Dolan for the first quarter, before engaging in conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman during the second quarter.
His arrival was marked by a flight on Marine One from his New Jersey residence, which landed near Wall Street. Following this, his motorcade navigated through Manhattan, reaching the arena approximately an hour prior to the game. Along the way, he encountered some individuals making offensive gestures, and outside the venue, a group held signs demanding “Trump must go.”
After settling into Dolan’s suite, Trump was met with extensive security measures earlier in the day, as the New York Police Department and U.S. Secret Service established a significant security perimeter around Madison Square Garden. Fans began queuing to enter the arena more than four hours before the game, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of New Year’s Eve in Times Square rather than a typical basketball game.
Entry required attendees to present tickets or passes at multiple checkpoints, as well as undergo screening similar to that of the Transportation Security Administration. Security personnel, including Secret Service agents and police, were positioned throughout the area, leading to confusion among daily commuters, tourists, and basketball fans alike as they navigated the heightened security protocols.
In the game itself, the Spurs managed to overcome a seven-point deficit at halftime, ultimately defeating the Knicks with a final score of 115-111. New York now stands two victories away from securing its first championship since 1973.
Game 4 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening at Madison Square Garden.
