US President Donald Trump went viral for allegedly sleeping during the New York Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals. In the third quarter, videos showed Trump sitting in his bulletproof booth alongside his granddaughter, Kai Trump, and Knicks owner James Dolan, during which the president appeared to close his eyes briefly.
As fans mocked the president, Jemele Hill dished her thoughts on the incident. The reporter suggested that Trump was potentially “resting” and not sleeping.
“He’s just resting his eyes,” she said.
Trump’s attendance was the key storyline of the night. However, he faced a hostile reception from Knicks fans. As the cameras turned to Trump during the national anthem, fans booed the president. Meanwhile, online discourse didn’t suggest he had the support of the masses.
The Knicks lost 115-111, dropping their first game in 46 days. They had a 12-game winning streak until Game 2. Jalen Brunson had 32 points, while OG Anunoby scored 28. Both teams matched up well across the board, except in the free-throw department. San Antonio had 32 attempts to New York’s 22.
The whistle disparity was wider in the second half as the Spurs took 24 attempts while the Knicks had eight.
Jason Whitlock, Dez Bryant react after the Knicks lose due to Donald Trump’s attendance
NBA analyst Jason Whitlock and former NFL player Dez Bryant reacted to the New York Knicks’ loss with President Donald Trump in attendance. Whitlock said Trump should avoid Game 4 after the Knicks’ 13-game playoff winning streak ended.
“Trump is gonna have to skip Game 4,” Whitlock wrote.
Meanwhile, Bryant taunted Knicks fans for “hating” on Trump and said they deserved to lose.
“That’s what you Knicks fans get for hating on President Trump!”
Donald Trump isn’t expected to attend Game 4, according to USA Today’s report from Monday. Here’s what the report said:
“After Trump’s attendance for Monday night’s Game 3 of the New York Knicks’ home stand against the San Antonio Spurs caused a logistical nightmare for fans and altered fan watch parties, it doesn’t appear as if he’ll be there for Game 4.”
“The fact that the watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden will back on for Game 4 is a telling sign that Trump won’t be back for the next game. The fact that he got loudly booed during the national anthem could inspire him to just watch the next game from the White House or Mar-a-Lago.”
Game 4 is on Wednesday at MSG again. It’s a must-win situation for New York as the Spurs will restore home advantage and have a chance to snatch the series lead on their home court in Game 5.
Read more:
- Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith Have Stoic Faces as Adam Silver Raves About Donald Trump Supporting Knicks
- Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off on Donald Trump’s MSG Plans, Labeling the Move ‘Narcissistic’ Ahead of Knicks vs Spurs Game 3
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