Donald Trump endured roaring boos from the Madison Square Garden crowd before Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
Donald Trump was met with roaring boos from the Madison Square Garden crowd ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
San Antonio Spurs / Schedule
During the playing of the United States national anthem before Monday's game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, Trump was shown on the large video board of the arena.
As he saluted during the anthem while in a suite, the U.S. president received a hostile reaction from the New York fanbase. While his granddaughter, Kai, smiled from the jeers, Trump just flashed a brief smirk on his face.
Donald Trump NBA Finals appearance drew flak due to inconveniences
Trump, his granddaughter and several representatives of his cabinet arrived at Madison Square Garden just an hour before the 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off of Game 3.
For his arrival to go smoothly, the authorities and the Knicks have imposed extreme safety and precautionary measures.
No official watch parties were held for the Knicks' devoted fanbase, while those attending the game faced heightened security measures, including a strict no-bag policy. Ticket holders and media personnel were also subjected to extensive TSA-style screenings before entering the arena.
Many have complained about the inconvenience they feel from the strict inspections and restrictions.
Adam Silver defends Donald Trump attending NBA Finals
With Knicks owner James Dolan being the one responsible for bringing Trump in attendance, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver subsequently defended the United States president appearing for Monday's NBA Finals game.
Despite the polarizing impression of the majority against Trump, Silver made it clear that the 79-year-old still deserves to enjoy and be a part of unity in sports as a well-known Knicks fan.
Trump officially became the second sitting U.S. president to watch an NBA game since Barack Obama in 2015, and is now the first one in history to attend an NBA Finals game.
"Yes, there's some inconvenience for the fans here, but looking around this arena, it's packed. People came early and got through the extra security, which is necessary," Silver argued.
"I think we should be using sports to create more of a sense of community among people."
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