Donald Trump was booed by a large part of the crowd when he was shown on the big screen at Madison Square Garden during the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The American president, a historic Knicks fan, became the first incumbent to attend a league decision match.
Boos erupted when Trump appeared saluting on the central screen, while singer Avery Wilson performed the Star-Spangled Banner. Moments later, the sound turned to applause as Knicks players entered the scene. The president was accompanied by his granddaughter Kai Trump, team owner James Dolan and members of his administration, such as secretaries Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum.
The New York Knicks lost 111 to 115 to the San Antonio Spurs, highlighted by Victor Wembanyama, who scored 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The loss cut the series lead to 2–1 in New York’s favor, ending a 13-game playoff winning streak.
The presidential presence required a reinforced security system that paralyzed entire blocks around Madison Square Garden. Metal barriers, airport-style searches and thousands of police and Secret Service agents were mobilized, which led to hours-long queues for fans and canceled the outdoor broadcast party planned for the region.
Bars and restaurants in the area, which normally fill up on big game nights, saw much lower-than-expected traffic due to restrictions on pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Residents and fans complained that the apparatus “killed the atmosphere” of the home match.
Trump, born in Queens, has a complicated relationship with New York, a city with a strong Democratic leaning. After the game, he told reporters he heard “mostly applause” and described the atmosphere as “loud and very enthusiastic.” The president arrived by Marine One helicopter from his golf club in New Jersey.
This season marks the Knicks’ return to the Finals after 27 years — their last appearance was against the Spurs in 1999. The gym welcomed celebrities such as Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet, as well as Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Fans gathered at alternative parties, such as the one in Bryant Park, where they watched the match in the streets and on improvised screens. A 44-year-old fan recalled that he was 17 years old the last time the team reached the decision. Many complained about the inconvenience caused by the presidential visit, although some praised Trump’s gesture of attending.
