Trump Attends Knicks Game Amidst Boos

On June 8, 2026, President Trump attended an NBA Finals playoff game at Madison Square Garden. He watched the New York Knicks face off against the San Antonio Spurs from his box seats. During the National Anthem, he gestured to the crowd, staying in the shadows and seemingly avoiding the audience’s boos.

Dave Zirin, sports editor at the Nation, shared his excitement about the Knicks’ performance. The team has won 13 consecutive playoff games and currently leads the NBA finals 2–0. For avid fans like Zirin, this could mark the end of a 53-year championship drought—the most prolonged in sports history.

Basketball has deep roots in New York City, often called “the city game” by Pete Axthelm in 1970. The Knicks’ success brings the possibility of returning the NBA title to a city renowned for its basketball heritage, with iconic figures like Earl “The Goat” Manigault and establishments like Rucker Park and Power Memorial High School. Rick Telander once described New York as a place where “heaven is a playground.” Bringing the trophy back to this basketball hub would be monumental.