The New York Knicks will become the first NBA champions to visit Donald Trump at the White House, according to team owner James Dolan. Dolan, a longtime ally of the US president, confirmed the visit during an appearance on WFAN New York on Wednesday.
"We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted," Dolan said. "We still have to figure out the details … but yes, of course. Look, I invited the president to come down for [last week's Game 3 of the NBA finals]. He is a friend. I've known him for 30 years and I'm very proud to bring the team to the White House."
Mixed Reactions Expected
The visit may not be well received by large sections of the Knicks fanbase. Trump was greeted with boos and jeers when he appeared on the jumbotron at Madison Square Garden at the start of Game 3. The reception was unsurprising, as NBA fans tend to lean liberal and the Knicks play in a city that strongly supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
It is also uncertain how many Knicks players will attend. Forward Josh Hart celebrated Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election by calling Trump a "dumbass" on social media. Other players may be more supportive; center Mitchell Robinson, a registered Republican, called Trump's visit to MSG "cool, I guess."
Historical Context
Last season's NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, did not visit the White House due to a "timing issue." Title-winning teams in major US sports have traditionally received invitations from the president to visit the White House, but such visits have become politically fraught during Trump's two terms.
The last NBA champions to visit the White House were the Boston Celtics in 2024, during Biden's presidency. The Golden State Warriors chose not to visit Trump's White House after their 2017 title; Trump later said he had withdrawn their invitation. They were not invited after their 2018 championship. The Warriors visited while Barack Obama was in office and made the trip under Biden after their 2022 title.
The 2019 champion Toronto Raptors did not visit while Trump was in office, with players ruling out a trip before an invitation was offered. The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers skipped their visit to Biden's White House due to pandemic health and safety protocols.
