President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next week, accepting an invitation from New York Knicks owner James Dolan. The president, a lifelong New Yorker and longtime Knicks fan, made the disclosure during an impromptu Q&A with reporters in the Oval Office.
“The answer is yes — he’s invited me, I’m going,” Trump said, referring to Dolan. “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan.”
The president indicated he is considering attending Game 3 on Monday and did not rule out showing up for Game 4 on June 10 as well. “Maybe I’ll do both,” he added.
If Trump follows through, he would become the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, according to league officials. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver welcomed the president’s planned appearance, emphasizing the unifying power of sports.
“I think sports in particular is something where we can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart,” Silver told reporters Thursday. “I’m thrilled that, yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team.”
Silver noted that Trump frequently attended NBA events before his presidency, including league drafts when they were held at Madison Square Garden. The commissioner described Trump as a “big Knicks fan” long before he entered politics.
The announcement comes a day after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Finals, taking a 1-0 series lead. Trump said he caught portions of Wednesday night’s game despite a packed schedule that included discussions with world leaders amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, legislative battles on Capitol Hill, and heated midterm election campaigns.
“I missed the middle because I talk to generals all night long now, but I watched that end of the game and they were dominant,” Trump said.
The president’s appearance at the Finals is likely to draw intense political scrutiny, as it comes amid a contentious political climate. Democrats have increasingly turned to figures like Pete Buttigieg as a counterweight to Trump, and the midterm elections are heating up. Trump’s recent dominance in a New York congressional debate underscores his ongoing influence in the party.
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ playoff run has sparked broader political engagement. Progressive candidates in New York City primaries are leveraging Knicks fever to energize voters, while Trump’s appearance could further intertwine sports and politics in the city.
Silver expressed hope that the president’s attendance would be a moment of shared enthusiasm. “Sports can bring people together,” he said, “and this is a chance to celebrate a great team and a great city.”
