US President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA finals at MSG to show support for the New York Knicks. It will be the first time a sitting US President will attend a finals contest. Any political figure can divide many people’s opinions. That’s true for Trump, too, whose attendance at the Knicks game has received polarizing reactions.
Two of LeBron James’ former teammates, former point guard Isaiah Thomas, who played with James in Cleveland and Los Angeles and Matt Ryan, also a former Lakers player, had opposite reactions to the news. Thomas expressed he’s not among the many admirers of Trump, saying:
“Knicks gonna lose that game now.”
Meanwhile, Ryan dropped six heart emojis. On his Instagram story, he said:
“Surprised he’s the first!”
“President Trump is very much a New Yorker,” he told ESPN. “I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team.”
It will be Donald Trump’s second NBA Finals Game at MSG supporting the Knicks
Donald Trump will make a second appearance at MSG for the NBA finals. He was at Game 3 of the 1994 series between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. Trump famously crashed the NBC broadcast and briefly appeared alongside announcers Marv Albert and Matt Guokas.
The Knicks lost that game 93-89. Patrick Ewing recorded 18 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks, but shot a measly 9-for-29 from the field. Derek Harper scored 21, with seven rebounds and four assists, while John Starks had 20 points and nine assists for New York.
It was a pivotal result as the Knicks could have gone up 3-1 had they won Game 3 after stealing Houston’s home court advantage with a 91-83 Game 2 win. The Knicks still had a great opportunity to win it all in Game 6 at home after taking a 3-2 lead.
However, Hakeem Olajuwon put up a generational effort in the last two games, tallying a combined 55 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Rockets to a title win.
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