Adam Silver ‘Thrilled’ Trump Will Attend Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 3
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he is pleased that President Trump will attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs.
Trump confirmed Thursday at the White House that he plans to travel to New York for the historic matchup, marking the Knicks’ first NBA Finals home game at Madison Square Garden since 1999.
Silver welcomed the president’s attendance and pointed to Trump’s long history as a supporter of the Knicks.
“Donald Trump, before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,” Silver said. “I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days. He attended many of our drafts when they used to take place at Madison Square Garden.”
The NBA commissioner said the visit presents an opportunity to focus on common ground rather than political divisions.
“We’re seeing that in New York, and I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I’m thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team,” Silver said.
Trump’s appearance will mark the fifth major sporting event in the New York area he has attended since beginning his second term in 2025. It will also be the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA Finals game during Silver’s tenure as commissioner.
Security at Madison Square Garden is expected to be significantly enhanced for the event, though officials have not detailed how the increased measures may affect the large crowds that traditionally gather around the arena during the Knicks’ playoff run.
Speaking at the White House, Trump praised the Knicks and specifically highlighted their defensive efforts against Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
“I say, how do you guard this guy? He’s 7-foot-5 and he’s got a great shot, right? But they find a way to do it. They’re really great,” Trump said.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to attend Game 3, though he joked to reporters that he would be seated in a much different part of the arena than the president.
The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden is expected to be electric as the Knicks continue their pursuit of the franchise’s first NBA championship in more than five decades, with the presence of both the president and the mayor adding another layer of attention to one of the most anticipated games in recent New York sports history.