President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, and the trump at knicks game appearance drew heavy booing when he was shown on the arena scoreboard during the national anthem.
Trump sat in the owner’s box after an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan, and he was joined in the box by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his granddaughter Kai Trump.
Videos shared from inside the arena and outside showed a mix of boos and some cheers, while a large free watch party at Bryant Park also reacted loudly when the president appeared on the broadcast.
The Spurs beat the Knicks 115-111 in Game 3, led by Victor Wembanyama who scored 32 points, and the Knicks nonetheless led the series 2-1 following the game.
Security Measures Reactions And Venue Impact
The president’s attendance prompted substantial security changes, including a multi-block NYPD and Secret Service perimeter, temporary closure of Penn Station until his arrival, and strict arena entry rules such as TSA-style magnetometers and a no-bag policy.
Ticket holders were asked to arrive two hours early and an outdoor watch party planned for the arena was canceled after a prior viewing party had led to arrests and an assault on an officer, according to reporting.
Outside Madison Square Garden, some spectators held signs reading Go Knicks, F**k Trump while social videos prompted criticism after viewers appeared to show Trump with his eyes closed during the game, drawing comments from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Rep. Yassamin Ansari.
After the game, Trump told reporters he believed he was mostly cheered and described the league as a little left wing but great entertainment, and he commented that defending in the game has become rougher than in the past.
Celebrity attendance included Timothée Chalamet, Tina Fey, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Larry David, Mariska Hargitay, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller and regular Knicks fan Spike Lee, and resale prices for Game 3 tickets were reported in the tens of thousands to over $100,000.
Before the game, oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag had set odds suggesting a roughly 75 percent chance Trump would hear more boos than cheers, and the NBA’s commissioner said he was thrilled the president planned to attend.
