Is Donald Trump at the NBA Finals? Live updates on president’s Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 appearance originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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After the Knicks won the first two games of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, all eyes are on Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
The real action will be on the court, where the Knicks are hoping to build a series lead that has never been overcome in NBA history, but the scene will be ideal for celebrity watching. The stars will be out, and it doesn’t just stop at celebrity row.
U.S. president Donald Trump said he plans to attend Game 3, in what would be his first NBA game since he entered politics in 2015. A fairly common sight at Knicks games from the 1990s into the early 2010s, Trump would bring plenty of attention — and extra security measures — with him at MSG this time around.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates on Trump’s whereabouts for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday. See the latest below.
MORE:Is Donald Trump really a Knicks fan?
Is Donald Trump at the NBA Finals?
9:36 p.m. — Here’s a clearer shot of Trump and Dolan watching Game 3.
The ESPN on ABC broadcast shows Donald Trump out of a commercial break in the second quarter.
Mike Breen: “Tonight, President Donald Trump becomes the first sitting United States president to attend an NBA Finals game. Longtime Knick fan. Certainly liked what he saw here.” https://t.co/dTLDPkYPempic.twitter.com/hZvg82cueT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2026
8:42 p.m. — Trump was shown on the ABC broadcast during the national anthem ahead of Game 3. He’s with his granddaughter, Kai.
🫡 President Trump salutes during the national anthem at game 3 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/DOxPWrjWQ9
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 9, 2026
8:20 p.m. — Trump has arrived inside his suite at Madison Square Garden.
7:55 p.m. — Trump’s motorcade has arrived at Madison Square Garden.
President Donald Trump arrives at Madison Square Garden for Game Three of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in New York City pic.twitter.com/o2cm2OtI43
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2026
7:45 p.m. — Trump has arrived at South Street Heliport in Manhattan.
Trump arrives at the South Street Heliport, exiting Marine One to the East. Managed to get a pic of his head between the rotors. #trump#trumpny#trumpknicks#potus#knicksfinalspic.twitter.com/4G1Jb2fkPQ
— Jonah Elkowitz (@jonahelkowitz) June 8, 2026
7:00 p.m. — Trump has boarded Marine One in New Jersey and is on his way to Madison Square Garden.
.@POTUS departs Bedminster, NJ en route to Madison Square Garden! 🇺🇸🏀 pic.twitter.com/7fJKQzj2jj
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) June 8, 2026
4:45 p.m. — The enhanced security measures have the media line moving slowly, though it’s worth noting media members are allowed to bring in bags while ticketed fans are not.
Media line to get thru the TSA screening four hours before the game. pic.twitter.com/guKxa4k8aa
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) June 8, 2026
Trump said he will attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. The president spent the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey and is already in the area; his official schedule says he will head back to Washington D.C. after the game.
When asked whether he would be at the game, Trump told reporters he accepted an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan. “The answer is yes. He’s invited me, I’m going,” Trump said.
The Knicks are preparing accordingly, as they released instructions to fans who will be dealing with enhanced security on Monday.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 6, 2026
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters he was “thrilled” Trump planned to attend his first Knicks game since 2014.
“Donald Trump, before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,” Silver said, noting that he saw Trump at games and even the NBA Draft before entering politics.
“We can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart,” Silver said. “We’re seeing that in New York and I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I’m thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team.”
Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s Knicks fandom.
MORE:How NBA Finals games at MSG compare to most expensive sporting events
Why is Donald Trump at the NBA Finals?
Trump has been a frequent attendee of major sporting events during his second term, from Super Bowl 59 to the College Football Playoff championship game this past January, but he actually is a Knicks fan.
A native New Yorker, Trump was pictured attending at least 14 Knicks games from 1991-2014 and also attended other NBA events, including the 2003 NBA Draft and the clinching game of the 2002 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Nets.
These days, Trump seems to be a bit busier but still said he found time to watch most of the Knicks’ Game 1 win over the Spurs. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he thinks Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are “fantastic” and said the Knicks “have a great team.”
President Trump was asked who his favorite Knicks player is while aboard Air Force One on Friday. Trump mentioned Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns, before praising the entire team. Trump also addressed the high prices for tickets to game three of the NBA Finals, saying,… pic.twitter.com/3RXzxc0OGd
— LiveNOW from FOX (@livenowfox) June 6, 2026
It might not be like the old days, when Trump was able to sit on celebrity row, but this won’t be his first time experiencing the playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
MORE:Donald Trump addresses sky-high NBA Finals ticket prices
Who is watching with Donald Trump?
Trump is watching the game with his granddaughter Kai Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan, who invited him to the game. United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff also appears to be in the suite.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani also confirmed he will be at Game 3, but Mamdani said last Thursday that he will be “in a very different section.”
Donald Trump NBA Finals restrictions
Trump’s presence at Monday night’s game would spell an end to some of the privileges Knicks fans have enjoyed during the postseason. For starters, the Game 3 watch party — initially scheduled to take place outside of Madison Square Garden — will instead be moved to Bryant Park in Midtown. The event will have a maximum capacity of 5,000. It will be free and open to the public, although registration is required.
“From every borough and every neighborhood, this city has come together to cheer on the Knicks and share in a moment that belongs to all of us,” Mamdani said. “That’s why we’re adding Bryant Park as an additional watch party location, so even more fans can be part of this incredible Knicks Finals run.”
Bryant Park is one of three public venues slated to host watch parties for tonight’s game, alongside Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl.
At MSG, fencing has been placed around the venue’s premises in an apparent effort to prepare the site to host Trump.
Security measures are being heightened around Madison Square Garden before Game 3 of the NBA Finals 😳
(Via @TickPick ) pic.twitter.com/UBLeVz8CjE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 8, 2026
The NYPD is taking extra precautions to secure the area, which includes closing down the immediate streets to both pedestrians and cars unless they have a ticket for the game.
Starting at 4pm today, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue.
No one will be allowed inside the secure area unless you have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business inside…
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 8, 2026
Even the players had to be heavily screened, which De’Aaron Fox believes is too much of an inconvenience for the game.
#Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox on security at MSG:
“I think the president being here just makes it inconvenient for everybody else. …We’re getting screened like it’s TSA. It’s a little inconvenient for the people that’s got to play, but it is what it is.”
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) June 8, 2026
Additionally, NBA media are limited in their pregame coverage due to the security in place.
Knicks media members typically credentialed for pregame locker room access will NOT be able to interview players ahead of NBA Finals Game 3: https://t.co/iUWAHvPugx
— Kris Pursiainen (@krispursiainen) June 8, 2026
ESPN’s Shams Charania said that he was stopped by the secret service while covering the game outside of MSG.
Shams Charania was stopped by Secret Service outside MSG, and now he can’t find his Airpod case pic.twitter.com/PA2R4iLy2A
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 8, 2026
Has a sitting president ever attended the NBA Finals?
Trump will become the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. While the presidency has a long history with sporting events dating back to Ronald Reagan — throwing out first pitches, attending the Olympics and even the Super Bowl — but the NBA Finals has remained elusive.
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