Updated ,first published
Donald Trump has become the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals, but was loudly booed at Madison Square Garden – and later fell asleep – during a thrilling game three of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Trump, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, was shown on the jumbotron while The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the game, with jeers and boos, but also some cheering, breaking out across the arena.
He was shown for eight seconds as he saluted, and had a smile on his face. When the cameras turned to the Knicks players a few seconds later, the sell-out crowd just cheered.
The crowd, however, was silenced by the end of the game, the visiting Spurs winning 115-111 behind 224-centimetre French superstar Victor Wembanyama’s 32 points on 11-18 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists, cutting the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. Spurs playmaker Stephon Castle had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson had 32 points on 11-25 shooting, to go along with five rebounds and five assists, but also five turnovers, while OG Anunoby had 28 points on 9-13 shooting, including a late three-pointer which cut the Spurs lead to two points with 9.4 seconds remaining.
The Knicks struggled to get their offence rolling after half-time, and were outscored in the third and fourth quarters – losing their first game in 46 days and snapping their 13-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA play-off history.
No team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole in the NBA Finals. The Spurs have now guaranteed they will host at least one more home game in San Antonio.
“It’s the little things, more serious, less mistakes, less turnovers – it’s the whole [thing],” said Wembanyama, who was approached by a selfie-hungry member of the crowd in the final quarter of game one.
The Knicks, aiming for their championship since 1973, will attempt to regain momentum at home on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEST) in game four of the best-of-seven series.
All eyes pre-game were on Trump, a long-time Knicks supporter often seen courtside in the 1990s, who arrived before tip-off and chatted with Knicks owner James Dolan, several members of his cabinet, and his granddaughter, Kai Trump, in a box suite. The suite, in the arena’s lower bowl, was surrounded by protective glass, as part of extra security measures enforced on the day.
He was later shown on-screen sitting next to Dolan – but asleep – as the Knicks and Spurs fought it out in a high-energy contest.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was a welcome attendee.
“What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is that it’s something we have in common,” Silver told ESPN.
“We should look for those things we have in common and build off that.”
Trump’s appearance forced a major upgrade of security measures.
“Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said.
“People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary. I think we should use sports to create more of a sense of community.”
Trump’s Marine One helicopter flew from his home in New Jersey to near Wall Street, before his motorcade made its way up through Manhattan and to the arena about an hour before tip-off.
The New York Police Department and the US Secret Service established a large perimeter surrounding Madison Square Garden. Anyone attending the game, including the players, had to pass through security screenings when they entered the stadium.
Fan-watch parties outside the venue, which had been well-attended throughout the Knicks’ play-off run prior, were cancelled. Other such events were shifted to locations further away, such as Bryant Park in Manhattan.
This, however, did not impact celebrity row. Knicks great Patrick Ewing, former stars John Starks, Larry Johnson and Latrell Sprewell, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Yankees legend Derek Jeter, director Spike Lee, and actors Timothee Chalamet, Tina Fey and Ben Stiller were among those cheering the Knicks on.
The average price of a ticket for game three was $US7683 ($10,887), while the highest price was $US65,000 ($92,100).
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
