Donald Trump, once a familiar face courtside at New York Knicks games, is set to return to his hometown as president to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals. His presence at Madison Square Garden on Monday night will mark the first time a sitting president has attended an NBA Finals game. Trump, invited by Knicks owner James Dolan, will cheer for the team against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks are seeking their first championship since 1973, a time when Trump, then 26, was a relative newcomer to the family real estate business. Trump has attended more major sporting events than any of his predecessors, including the Super Bowl and Daytona 500. However, his return to New York comes as he remains deeply unpopular in the city, having given up his lifelong New York residency for Florida in 2019.
Knicks fans have expressed mixed feelings about Trump's attendance, with some concerned about potential disruption to the team's momentum. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, an avid Knicks fan, told CNN: "Why does Donald Trump always have to ruin a good thing?" Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered a more welcoming stance, saying the city is excited to welcome anyone rooting for the Knicks.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended Trump's fandom, stating: "Before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan." Trump's public affiliation with the team dates to 1975, when he advised the then-owners of the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. The Knicks head home with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, having won 13 straight playoff games.
