Trump booed during anthem at Knicks NBA Finals game

President Donald Trump made history Monday night by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game, taking in Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. The 79-year-old Queens native watched from an executive suite alongside his granddaughter Kai Trump, Knicks owner James Dolan and several administration officials including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The Spurs edged out a 115-111 victory, snapping the Knicks' 13-game playoff winning streak and trimming their series lead to 2-1.

Trump's arrival triggered an extensive security operation that shut down surrounding streets and forced ticket holders into long lines stretching multiple blocks. Airport-style screening and a heavy law enforcement presence kept the area restricted, frustrating some fans who arrived hours early. Once inside, the president saluted during the national anthem as his image appeared on the arena's large screens. While some sections of the crowd responded with jeers, others cheered loudly and broke into chants of "USA."

Trump later told reporters he viewed the reaction as overwhelmingly positive. "It was mostly cheers," he said. "It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic." The president described the game itself as well-played by both teams and expressed enjoyment at watching talented players compete in his hometown arena. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted Trump's genuine interest in the Knicks and welcomed the attendance as part of the league's tradition of bringing people together.

The event marked the first NBA Finals game hosted in New York since 1999. Trump had spent the earlier part of the day at his New Jersey golf club before flying into Manhattan by helicopter and traveling by motorcade to the venue. He was joined in the suite by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while other officials such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sat elsewhere in the building.

Online commentary quickly split along familiar lines, with some outlets emphasizing the boos and others pointing to the mix of reactions captured on video. Trump has long maintained a complicated relationship with New York, a city that remains heavily Democratic despite his roots there. Monday's appearance nonetheless drew attention for its novelty, as no prior president had chosen to attend the league's championship series in person.

Game 4 is set for Wednesday night back at Madison Square Garden, with both teams looking to build momentum in a series that has revived interest in Knicks basketball after decades without a title.