![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump attends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/09091253/he-fell-asleep-not-surprised-06-09-26-1920x1297.jpg "'He Fell Asleep, Not Surprised' -- Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Calls Out President Donald Trump After Game 3 of NBA Finals")
On Monday evening, Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game when he showed up to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the series pitting the New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks’ impressive 13-game winning run in the playoffs was snapped in a narrow 115-111 loss to the Spurs.
Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Makes Fun of Donald Trump Falling Asleep at MSG
In a clip from his trip to China, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown made fun of Trump, who was caught sleeping in Knicks owner James Dolan’s private box at Madison Square Garden during the game.
“They had everybody at the game. They had all the who’s who: Jay Z, Cardi B, da da da da. I saw Donald Trump was there, he fell asleep, not surprised at that,” Brown said.
Trump was also widely booed by the fans at MSG when his face was shown on the Jumbotron as Avery Wilson sang the national anthem. The security arrangements around MSG were stringent and caused disruptions as the watch party outside the venue was cancelled and moved to Bryant Park.
In addition, prior to the game, fans had to line up for hours to enter the venue as they were thoroughly screened by the scores of security personnel at various checkpoints due to the president’s presence.
During Monday’s segment of “First Take” before Game 3, outspoken ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith revealed that if the Knicks were to lose Game 3, he would blame President Trump for disrupting the atmosphere that led to 13 straight wins during their stunning playoff run.
“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the President of the United States,” Smith said.
“This is about an individual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin’ nerves. He’s got no business here tonight. It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with the fervor that exists around the New York Knicks and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with.”
After Game 3, a reporter questioned Trump about Smith’s comments before he boarded Air Force One, and the president blasted the polarizing TV personality over his speculated presidential run in 2028.
“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said. “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does, actually.”
The president attended Game 3 after getting invited by Dolan. While he previously hinted that he may attend Game 4 of the thrilling series on Wednesday, he has reportedly decided against it.
