Article content
It does not take much to upset sports fans in New York City.
Article content
Of all people (or TV show characters in this case), beloved Sesame Street puppet Elmo found that out the hard way in recent days when he posted on social media that he “hopes both teams have fun” in the NBA Finals — those teams being the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Article content
Knicks fans, of course, were livid.
Some called him a “traitor” to New York, according to BBC, with one fan simply posting: “Elmo don’t forget the streets that raised you.” Others ripped Elmo for “fence sitting.” Even more hurled expletives at him online.
A security fence is installed outside Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York City.
A security fence is installed outside Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York City. The New York City Police Department and Secret Service have cancelled a NBA Finals watch party near Madison Square Garden, with fans advised to arrive at least two hours before Monday’s game due to heightened security for U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance. Photo by Adam Gray /Getty Images
Odds high Trump will be noticeably booed
Which begs the question: How much better will Donald Trump fare on Monday night after being invited to Game 3 by Knicks owner James Dolan?
Already, betting company BetOnline.ag has put the odds of the U.S. president being noticeably booed the first time he is on camera at -300, according to Penn Live, compared to +200 for him to be cheered.
Basically, the odds are quite good that the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game will get a Bronx cheer. Politics aside, it is not hard to see why.
Security at the event has been ratcheted up with the New York Police Department working with the Secret Service to establish a heavily guarded perimeter around Madison Square Garden, leading to the cancellation of a watch party outside the building with the Knicks up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
“Personally, I think it’s kind of a shame,” Knicks fan Lance Thompson told CNN. “We’ve been waiting for this for how long? A lot of people can’t afford to get into the game. I’m one of those people, so I was actually looking forward to going to one of these watch parties.”
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
Loading...
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Fans, media, players facing tight security
Media members covering the game have also documented the measures being taken to secure the event with one reporter telling Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox that security checked under the lid of his ChapStick.
Article content
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox talked about all the extra security measures the team has to go through with President Donald Trump attending tonight’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. pic.twitter.com/HtRRGnn4uy
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 8, 2026
Fox said that the players are not immune to the security challenges.
“The less stuff you can bring, the better,” he told reporters before the game. “Obviously, we’re getting screened like it’s TSA (the U.S. Transportation Security Administration). It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s gotta play, but it is what it is.”
Read More
[General Manager Bobby Webster of the Toronto Raptors listens in to press conferences during media day in 2025.
Why the Raptors were right to extend GM Bobby Webster and their front office](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/why-right-extend-bobby-webster-front-office)
2. [Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 05, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
Why we should have seen Spurs, Wembanyama's NBA Finals struggles coming](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/why-we-should-have-seen-spurs-wembanyamas-nba-finals-struggles-coming)
Measures come after assassination attempt
The heightened security measures are being put in place after a man being charged with the attempted assassination of Trump in April at the White House Correspondents Dinner and two other assassination attempts on Trump during the last presidential campaign.
A man was also arrested Sunday night after five people were injured in a stabbing incident at neighbouring Penn Station.
Pundits — including ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith — have pleaded with the president to skip the game so that Knicks fans can enjoy the night without the distraction of his appearance, while a Democratic rival questioned whether he is even a fan of the Knicks.
The White House was tight-lipped on fan concerns and the prospect of them booing Trump during the game but told the Washington Post that he is a “lifelong fan” of the NBA club, which last won a title in 1973.
“President Trump is the greatest champion for sports of any president in American history,” spokesperson Olivia Wales said in a statement to the Post.
Share this article in your social network