The presence of President Donald Trump at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs on June 8, 2026created a stir among fans and late-night comedians alike. The event, held at the iconic Madison Square Gardenwas marked by a mix of boos, cheers, and heightened security measures.
Trump, a self-proclaimed lifelong Knicks fan, attended the game from the suite of Knicks owner James Dolan. His attendance drew significant attention, not only from sports enthusiasts but also from political commentators and late-night hosts who had a field day with the reactions.
The Boos and Cheers at Madison Square Garden
As the national anthem played and Trump appeared on the jumbo screens, the crowd’s reaction was a mix of boos and chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” The boos intensified when Trump was shown giving a military salute, only to subside when the U.S. flag followed him on the screens. The crowd cheered when the Knicks players were shown, but mentions of the Spurs also elicited boos.
Despite the boos, Trump remained unfazed. “It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he told reporters after the game. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” The Knicks ultimately lost the game 115-111, ending their 46-day winning streak.
Late-Night Hosts Weigh In
The late-night circuit had a lot to say about Trump’s appearance at the NBA Finals. Desi Lydic of The Daily Show joked about the “very New York welcome” Trump received, while Jimmy Kimmel highlighted the historical aspect of Trump being the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
Kimmel also pointed out the inconveniences caused by Trump’s attendance, including long lines and canceled watch parties. “The question on everyone’s mind was ‘Would the President get booed in the Garden,'” Kimmel remarked, adding that the strategy to show Trump during the national anthem backfired.
Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show joked about Trump’s approval rating in San Antonio being 100% and suggested that the Knicks fans were blaming him for the team’s loss. Fallon quipped that Trump had called the NBA to find five more points for the Knicks.
Security Measures and Fan Reactions
The heightened security measures due to Trump’s attendance caused significant inconveniences for fans. The New York Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service set up a large perimeter around Madison Square Garden, requiring fans to go through Transportation Security Administration-style magnetometers. This led to long lines and confusion among fans trying to enter the arena.
Knicks fan Greg Weldonwho traveled from Florida for the game, expressed frustration over the lack of information and the difficulties faced in navigating the security measures. “We’ve asked so many cops, secret service, guys with machine guns, what to do, where should we go,” Weldon said. “Nobody knows.”
The security measures also led to the cancellation of a highly anticipated watch party outside the arena. Fans had to improvise, with watch parties being held at Bryant Park, Central Park’s Wollman Rink, and Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch assured fans that watch parties would resume outside the Garden for Game 4.
The Knicks’ historic run to the finals, their first since 1999, has drawn massive crowds and excitement. However, the high ticket prices, with some courtside seats auctioned for as much as $1,000,000, have made it difficult for everyday fans to attend the games in person.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of New Yorkers prevailed. As Knicks guard Jose Alvarado noted, “We’re New Yorkers. We’re going to find a way to watch a game, and that’s what we’re doing.”
