U.S. President, Donald Trump, is scheduled to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday, accepting a personal invitation from New York Knicks owner, James Dolan.
When asked by reporters at the White House whether he would make the trip to Manhattan, Trump gave a definitive response. “The answer is yes,” Trump said. “He’s invited me, I’m going.”
While the president was initially vague about his exact plans, the White House later confirmed his attendance for Monday’s matchup in its daily schedule guidance, and Trump has not ruled out staying for Game 4 on Wednesday.
The high-profile visit marks a historic moment for both the franchise and the city, though it will inevitably trigger heightened security measures in and around the Midtown Manhattan venue.
The Knicks are making their first Finals appearance since 1999—an era when Trump was a regular fixture in courtside seats—and are chasing their first championship title since 1973.
Fueling a wave of feverish support across the Big Apple, the Knicks secured a stunning Game 1 victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, extending their playoff winning streak to 12 games and sending ticket prices skyrocketing.
NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, expressed strong enthusiasm about the president’s upcoming appearance during a community event in San Antonio on Thursday. “President Trump is very much a New Yorker,” Silver told reporters, according to The Athletic. “I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and joy around this Knicks team.”
Silver noted that long before Trump ever sought public office, he was a dedicated basketball fan who frequently attended games during the franchise’s golden eras.
The relationship between the league and the president goes back decades, with Silver recalling that Trump even starred in a famous NBA promotional campaign.
During the 2004–05 season, Trump appeared in an “I Love This Game” commercial alongside several other celebrities.
The memorable television spot famously leaned into pop culture, featuring Trump playing on his iconic “You’re fired” tagline from his reality television show, The Apprentice.
