The New York Knicks faced a tough defeat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. This loss ended their impressive 13-game winning streak in the postseason. The game took place at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026.
Knicks coach Mike Brown expressed dissatisfaction with the referees, particularly regarding the imbalance in free throw attempts between the teams. Despite this, discussions online took a different direction. Fans speculated that President Trump’s presence at the game might have influenced the Knicks’ performance negatively. This marked the first time a sitting president attended an NBA Finals game.
At the game, when President Trump appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, the crowd reacted vocally. “When Trump showed up on the jumbotron during the national anthem, [the crowd] booed louder than when the Spurs came on the court,” sports journalist Albert Samaha reported.
Despite the evident boos, President Trump stated to reporters, “It was, I think, mostly cheers. It was loud, and very enthusiastic.”
NPR’s Michel Martin conducted an interview with Samaha to discuss Game 3, the reaction from New York City to Trump’s attendance, and predictions for the upcoming Game 4. For those interested in the full conversation, it is available by clicking the audio link provided.