President Donald Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8, according to reporting from NBA insider Evan Sidery. That would make the matchup one of the highest-profile Finals games at MSG in years, with New York hosting Games 3 and 4.
The timing follows Trump’s own comments at a Cabinet meeting last week, when he said he had been invited by Knicks owner James Dolan and planned to attend one of the Finals games. “I was invited to go on Wednesday, but they closed it out very quickly,” Trump said, referring to New York’s sweep of Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.
Trump also praised the franchise’s long-awaited return to the championship stage. “It’s great to see it. The Knicks have really suffered for years,” he said, after New York reached its first NBA Finals since 1999.
The Knicks’ path to the Finals changed the calendar for any possible appearance at Madison Square Garden. Planned surprise visit for Game 5 of the East finals was no longer needed after the Knicks finished Cleveland in four games, which pushed the conversation toward the Finals instead.
Trump’s presence would also come during a rare stretch for the league and the city. Sitting or former U.S. president attending an NBA Finals game is uncommon.
The Knicks opened the championship series with a 105-95 road win in Game 1 in San Antonio.
