President Trump draws boos as he attends NBA Finals Game 3 at MSG
President Trump's appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden anchored a historic night, underscoring that he is the first sitting president to attend a Finals game. The New York crowd greeted him with loud boos, outpacing those aimed at the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Trump, 79, was seated in a midcourt suite behind bulletproof glass and invited by Knicks owner James Dolan. He arrived in Manhattan aboard Marine One just before 7:20 p.m. ET, and his motorcade traveled the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive. Video boards captured his moment, letting fans see him smirk as the chants rose.
Security for the visit reshaped the arena's routine: a wide perimeter formed around the Garden from 4 p.m., with access restricted to ticket holders or credentialed personnel and intensified screening for players and staff. Dolan has long-standing ties to Trump, including fundraiser support and a Garden rally in 2024, which colored the event's optics. Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox noted the extra security affected team operations, while 7-foot-4 rookie Victor Wembanyama drew attention during the pregame screening. Outside, Knicks watch parties were relocated and several bars inside the perimeter were boarded up as fans displayed anti-Trump signs.
