Trump booed at MSG as 1st president to attend NBA Finals game

President Donald Trump was met with sustained boos from the crowd at Madison Square Garden on Monday as he became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game, an appearance that triggered a multi-block security lockdown across midtown Manhattan and forced the cancellation of a fan watch party outside the arena.

The jeers erupted when the arena's video board showed Trump saluting during the national anthem before Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. The crowd switched to cheers moments later when the screen cut to Knicks players. Chants of "Let's Go Knicks" followed after the anthem ended.

"The president is welcome to be here," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on ABC's pregame coverage. "I think that what makes sports so special, especially when there's so much that divides people, is it's something that we have in common."

The New York Police Department and U.S. Secret Service established a security perimeter spanning from 30th Street to 35th Street and Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, blocking access to Penn Station and requiring ticket holders to pass through TSA-style magnetometers. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the watch party that had drawn crowds outside the Garden throughout the playoffs was moved to Bryant Park, several blocks north of the security zone.

Trump watched the game from Knicks owner James Dolan's suite alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his granddaughter Kai Trump. The Knicks, who had won 13 straight postseason games and held a 2-0 series lead entering Monday, lost 115-111 to the Spurs. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at the Garden.

Security footprint and fan disruption

The enhanced security created the most significant disruption for a sporting event in New York since Trump attended the 2025 U.S. Open men's singles final in Queens, where thousands of fans missed the start of the match despite a 30-minute delay. The U.S. Tennis Association pushed back the start time after lengthy screening lines, but many spectators still could not reach their seats before play began.

Fans lined up outside Madison Square Garden more than four hours before tipoff, with the scene resembling New Year's Eve in Times Square rather than a typical playoff game. The get-in price for a ticket exceeded $5,000, higher than the average monthly rent in New York, according to resale market data. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he purchased a standing-room-only ticket for about $1,000 directly from the arena.

"We improvise," said Knicks guard Jose Alvarado, a New York native. "We're New Yorkers. We're going to find a way to watch a game, and that's what we're doing."

Political backdrop and market context

Trump's appearance comes as federal law enforcement has reexamined security protocols following three incidents over the past two years: a shooting at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania; the discovery of a man armed with a rifle as Trump played golf in West Palm Beach, Florida, later that year; and a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

The Knicks are seeking their first NBA title since 1973. The franchise last reached the Finals in 1999, when they lost to the Spurs in five games. The team's 13-game postseason winning streak entering Monday was the longest by any NBA team since the Golden State Warriors won 15 straight in 2017.

Trump has attended several high-profile sporting events during his second term, including the 2025 Super Bowl, this year's College Football Playoff National Championship, last year's Ryder Cup and multiple Ultimate Fighting Championship matches. He also plans to host a UFC event on the White House lawn to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday.

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