The 2026 NBA Finals are already one of the most anticipated series in years. Now, they just got even bigger. The New York Knicks are playing in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, facing off against the San Antonio Spurs.
New York swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the Finals and kicked things off with a 105-95 Game 1 win, extending their postseason winning streak to 12 games. The noise around this Knicks run has been deafening. And now, the President of the United States is heading to Madison Square Garden to be part of it.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Sends a Message About President Donald Trump
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump attending Monday’s Game 3, which has already fueled record ticket prices and extraordinary interest across New York City.
“President Trump is very much a New Yorker. I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team,” Silver said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on President Trump attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals: “President Trump is very much a New Yorker. I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 4, 2026
Silver noted that Trump’s appearance will be the first by a sitting president at an NBA Finals game during his tenure as commissioner, which began in 2014. That alone makes this a historic moment, regardless of where your loyalties lie in basketball.
Trump’s attendance will come at the personal invitation of Knicks owner James Dolan, who has donated to Trump’s political campaigns. The President made clear he has been watching closely.
“Boy, what a team. They win all their games. They really have some great players. I think I’ll be going to one of the games, yeah. I was invited by numerous people, and Jim, and I think it’s great. Great to see it. The Knicks have really suffered for years and they’re doing right now very well,” Trump told the New York Post before Game 1.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also set to attend Game 3 at MSG, though he will not be sitting alongside the President. “I will be in a very different section of the stadium,” Mamdani said, adding that he welcomes any New Yorker excited for the Knicks to attend.
Trump had previously planned to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, but the Knicks swept the series, leaving no fifth game to attend. He will not miss out on the Finals.
He has attended numerous major sporting events throughout his second term, including the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans and the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Miami.
Game 3 tips off Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks lead the series 1-0, the building will be louder than it has been in decades, and the President will be watching. Whatever happens on the floor, it is already one for the history books.
