Donald Trump is reportedly planning to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 8, at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The appearance would place him among a select group of U.S. presidents who have attended an NBA Finals game and make him the first sitting president to do so. Trump’s NBA move comes as the president continues making headlines, most recently after clashing with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a tense exchange over a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund.
Donald Trump Eyes Knicks-Spurs Finals Showdown
Trump is set to make an appearance at NBA Finals Game 3 in Manhattan next week, according to The Athletic. The New York native will have the opportunity to watch his favorite team, the New York Knicks, take on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, June 8.
The historic matchup marks the Knicks’ first home NBA Finals game in 27 years after they secured a 105-95 victory in Game 1 on Wednesday night in San Antonio.
With Madison Square Garden situated above Penn Station, one of the nation’s busiest transit hubs, reports indicate that extensive logistical and security preparations are already underway ahead of Trump’s expected attendance.
According to CBS News, a law enforcement source said officials have been holding meetings to coordinate enhanced security measures for the event.
Trump’s Original Knicks Finals Plan Fell Through
Trump first floated the idea of attending Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in May. However, those plans never materialized after the Knicks completed a four-game sweep, eliminating the need for a fifth contest.
“Jim Dolan’s [a] great guy, [he], as you know, owns … Madison Square Garden. He’s having a good year. Boy, what a team. They won all their games. They really have some great players,” Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting, per The Guardian.
“I think I’ll be going to one of the games, yeah. I was invited by numerous people, and Jim, and I think I’ll be going. Great to see. The Knicks have really, they’ve really suffered for years. They’re doing very well right now,” he added.
Donald Trump Has Become A Fixture At Major Sporting Events
Trump is no stranger to major sporting events. Throughout his presidency, he has regularly attended high-profile competitions, including the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the College Football Playoff National Championship, and the FIFA Club World Cup final.
His appearance at Monday’s showdown would place him alongside former President Barack Obama among the few U.S. leaders to attend an NBA Finals game. However, Trump would become the first sitting president to do so.
Obama was the last sitting president to attend an NBA game when he watched his hometown Chicago Bulls defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015.
However, Trump’s appearance is notable given his previous criticism of the league and its players. During his first term, he repeatedly criticized players who took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, making Monday’s potential reception from players and fans particularly interesting.
Trump’s Courtside Return Revives Old Tensions
Trump also criticized NBA legend LeBron James after the White House withdrew an invitation to the 2017 NBA champion Golden State Warriors. At the time, the team’s best player, Stephen Curry, was noncommittal about honoring the traditional championship visit to the White House, which Trump didn’t like.
However, after he sat in an interview with CNN, Trump wrote in a tweet that James “was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.”
“I like Mike!” he added, referencing the constant fan debate of who’s the GOAT between James and Michael Jordan.
Donald Trump Snaps At CNN Reporter During Exchange
Trump continues to spark controversy, this time after a heated exchange with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins over a proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund for people who claim they were targeted by politically motivated government investigations.
According to TMZ, Trump ignored the substance of Collins’ question and instead accused her of covering him with “hatred in her eyes.” The reporter repeatedly tried to steer the conversation back to the proposed fund, but the president continued criticizing her and the network.