The New York Knicks will be at home for Game 3 of the NBA Finals as they try to take a 3-0 lead against the San Antonio Spurs. There's no doubt the city will be out rooting for their team, but things will be a little different as President Donald Trump will be in attendance.
New York City has already set some strict guidelines ahead of the game due to his attendance, and Stephen A. Smith put him on blast during First Take.
“This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game,” Smith said. “This is not a football stadium in some space in Texas where you got a whole bunch of outlays. This is [Madison Square] Garden. This is midtown Manhattan. Do you have any idea what the congestion is going to be like in New York City?”
"This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game."
Stephen A. Smith on President Donald Trump attending the Knicks game tonight.pic.twitter.com/1Or060dgNp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 8, 2026
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Trump is set to make history as the first president to attend a postseason game. The last time a president attended an NBA game was Barack Obama in 2015.
There is a chance that watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden will be canceled because of Trump's attendance, but there has still been no word on that front. Along with that, the arena is set to do a TSA-style screening before fans can enter the building.
“A strict no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should make every effort to limit personal items to an absolute minimum. Fans should expect enhanced security measures when entering Madison Square Garden, including TSA-style screening procedures. Guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to allow additional time for screening and entry,” the statement said from the Knicks social media account.
The New York Knicks will be at home for Game 3 of the NBA Finals as they try to take a 3-0 lead against the San Antonio Spurs. There's no doubt the city will be out rooting for their team, but things will be a little different as President Donald Trump will be in attendance.