Attending an NBA game at Madison Square Garden is a thrilling experience for an ordinary fan. Aside from the thrill of watching the New York Knicks live, the crowd also gets a glimpse of the celebrities in attendance.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday was anything but ordinary, with President Donald Trump in attendance.
For Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump’s acceptance of the invitation was an enormous honor in itself.
What Knicks Owner James Dolan Said About Donald Trump’s Game 3 Attendance
During his appearance on WFAN’s “The Carton Show” on Wednesday, Dolan discussed Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
The businessman, whose net worth is about $2 billion (per Celebrity Net Worth), said he was thrilled that Trump accepted his invitation to attend the game.
Amid the negative sentiment among fans in attendance, Dolan noted the event’s significance, as Queens, New York-born Trump became the first sitting president to ever attend an NBA Finals game.
“That is a huge honor. And he’s a New Yorker. Whatever you think about him, he’s a Knicks fan,” Dolan said during his appearance on “The Carton Show.”
“People don’t want to hear this. I think he’s a great guy. I’ve known him for over 30 years, but I’m not going to go on this show and start espousing the president. I’ll just say that having him there was a great honor and I enjoyed sitting with him,” he added.
James Dolan insists Donald Trump did not fall asleep during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, despite it looking like the president took a nap pic.twitter.com/rP8kBMTHbJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 10, 2026
Dolan also debunked speculation on social media that the president was sleeping in the VIP owner’s box last Monday, saying that Trump engaged him in conversation during the game and asked many questions.
Trump, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, stood and saluted the flag during the national anthem amid boos from fans. He watched from the tip and stayed until the final buzzer, when the Spurs won 115-111.
Security measures were in place in the suite where he stayed throughout the basketball game, including the installation of protective glass to facilitate his appearance at Madison Square Garden.
Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals could be considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the league and the Knicks, despite the negative attention it has drawn.
The San Antonio Spurs ignored the chaotic environment and stole a 115-111 victory to keep their season alive. Entering Game 4 trailing 2-1 in the series, the Spurs held an 81-65 advantage late in the third quarter and appeared ready to tie the series.
However, New York engineered a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback to steal a 107-106 win to establish a 3-1 series lead.
