Story perspectives

Trump Booed at NBA Finals as Knicks Lose

6/10/2026

Summary

Trump Attends Finals

President Donald Trump attended the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, was booed during the anthem, and said the crowd was “mostly cheers.”
The Knicks lost 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
NYPD and Secret Service imposed screening, street closures, and canceled the outdoor watch party.
Video showed Trump with his eyes closed for several moments, prompting debate over whether he fell asleep.

Summary

Stars Pack Knicks

Actors Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor were courtside at Game 3.
Spike Lee wore a Pope Leo XIV-signed Knicks jersey and said he’d trade an Oscar for a championship.
Comedians Tracy Morgan, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Larry David and Tina Fey filled the celebrity row.
Knicks legends Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley and John Starks attended while Shaquille O’Neal praised Ewing on TNT.

Summary

Trump at NBA

U.S. President Donald Trump attended the NBA game at Madison Square Garden, prompting security to turn the arena into a fortress.
De'Aaron Fox said President Donald Trump’s presence just makes it inconvenient on everybody else.
Adam Silver said President Donald Trump’s visit would be a bona-fide ratings boost.
Victor Wembanyama stood with arms folded during the anthem, prompting President Donald Trump to call him a great player.

Summary

Mayor Buys Ticket

Security, a 10-block closure, and $5,000-plus tickets forced fans into bars and restaurants.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani bought a $1,000 standing-room ticket, illustrating the gap with premium boxes costing tens of thousands.
Cancellation of the outdoor watch party pushed thousands onto transit and crowded Midtown sidewalks, sparking complaints.
NYPD and Secret Service deployed hundreds of officers and counter-drone technology, adding unseen costs as local businesses saw longer lines and higher sales.

History

Historical Context

The NBA All-Star Game began in 1951 at Boston Garden to revive the league after a college point-shaving scandal. By the 2002 game in Philadelphia, the showcase had become a national spectacle, later setting an attendance record of 108,713 in 2010. Such high-profile events draw presidential visits, prompting extensive security and media focus.

1 of 5

Trump Attends Finals

President Donald Trump attended the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, was booed during the anthem, and said the crowd was “mostly cheers.”
The Knicks lost 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
NYPD and Secret Service imposed screening, street closures, and canceled the outdoor watch party.
Video showed Trump with his eyes closed for several moments, prompting debate over whether he fell asleep.

1 / 5