President Donald Trump will plans to attend Monday’s Game 3 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA game since Barack Obama did so when the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Chicago Bulls, per BBC.
Trump said he’s “been a Knicks fan for a long time,” when he accepted Knicks owner James Dolan’s invitation, adding “I’m also a Jim Dolan fan,” according to The Hill.
The occasion will be the first time a sitting U.S. president attends an NBA Finals.
Security will be tight, officials say
The New York Police Department announced “extra security measures” in and around Madison Square Garden so everyone can “enjoy the game safely.”
Extra security is due to the U.S. president’s appearance, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Sunday, including no watch parties outside the historic basketball venue.
“The NYPD in coordination with the Secret Service made the decision for Game 3, where we have a presidential visit, that we could not support watch parties right outside of the Garden.”
Tisch said city officials look forward to bringing back watch parties for Game 4.
With increased security, New Yorkers will undoubtedly pack the lines to make sure they get in early enough to catch the beginning of the game.
What pundit Stephen A. Smith said
The news is making big circulation online and in news shows as some are mixed on the president’s decision to attend, but maybe no voice is nearly as loud as Stephen A. Smith’s.
The longtime host of ESPN’s “First Take,” a rabid Knicks fan, did not hold back when speaking about Trump’s appearance on Monday’s episode of "First Take."
“Trump has no business showing up in New York City. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game. You have any idea what the congestion is gonna be like here? You don’t do that in New York City,” he said.
“You got watch parties out here. You got plenty of places to go.”
And Smith kept up the discussion online, arguing with fans on X and other platforms.
Ticket prices are rising higher and higher
Knicks star Josh Hart looks forward to an electric atmosphere and said he loves to have New York behind him when he plays, but he wishes ticket prices weren’t so expensive.
The game featuring Trump’s attendance will feature ticket prices the average fan cannot afford, many rising into the thousands.
“I kind of wish the ticket prices weren’t as crazy as they are,” he said.
“A lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time, unfortunately, aren’t able to get into the building. The cheapest ticket, $7-8,000, that’s ridiculous.”
Ahead of Game 3, the cheapest tickets are $4,598, and $9,208 for Game 4. If the series reaches a sixth game, the prices almost climb as high as $11,000.
The 2026 NBA Finals is the first time the storied New York franchise has reached the achievement since 1999. With one of the most rabid fanbases in all of sports, demand could climb even higher.
The Knicks lead the series 2-0, with the next two in the Big Apple.