Donald Trump Claims ‘Mostly Cheers’ After Being Loudly Booed on Jumbotron During NBA Finals Game 3

Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals marked the first Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999. The Knicks entered with a 2-0 series lead, but the night became notable for events beyond the court.

President Donald Trump attended Game 3 at the invitation of Knicks owner James Dolan. According to the Associated Press, no sitting U.S. president had previously attended an NBA Finals game.

U.S. President Donald Trump and James Dolan attend during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Howard-Reuters via Imagn ImagesDuring the national anthem, the Jumbotron showed Trump saluting from owner James Dolan’s suite.Trump later described the crowd reaction saying, “I thought it was very good. It was certainly amazing. I think mostly cheers. It was loud. And it was very enthusiastic.” However, multiple reporters inside MSG described the reaction as loud and sustained boos.

Several reporters present described the reaction as loud boos. CBS Senior White House Correspondent Ed O’Keefe noted that Trump was “indisputably booed loudly.” The White House press pool reportdescribed the crowd reaction as “loud and long,” with the boos lasting more than ten seconds before the jumbotron shifted to Jalen Brunson on the court, triggering an instant wave of cheers.

>Trump smiled and continued saluting as the crowd noise peaked. Knicks owner James Dolan seemed to be “smirking at the boos” while standing next to the president. The Knicks lost Game 3 that night, 115-111, with De’Aaron Fox hitting a clutch bucket late. It was their first loss of the entire 2026 postseason, snapping a 13-game playoff win streak.

Fans faced strict security measures, including TSA-style screening and a no-bag policy due to the presidential visit, resulting in long entry lines. The traditional outdoor watch parties were canceled. The reception differed markedly fromTrump’s recent appearances at other sporting events, such as the College Football Playoff National Championship.

How Donald Trump’s Attendance Affected the Atmosphere at MSG for Game 3The Knicks entered Game 3 as heavy favorites to go up 3-0. But the night presented unusual conditions for a home playoff game.Jalen Brunson acknowledged the historic atmosphere before tip-off, saying the building had not hosted a Finals game in 27 years.

The added security operation meant fans arrived later than normal, and the energy inside MSG during the opening quarter was slower to build than in a typical playoff atmosphere.

>San Antonio came out aggressive and never trailed in the fourth quarter. The Spurs, who had lost 13 straight playoff games against the Knicks dating back to the regular season,finally broke through with a 115-111 win. Fox led the game-sealing possession. Victor Wembanyama finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, his best performance of the series. The Spurs now trail 1-2 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday at MSG.

More NBA News:Knicks Cancel All Game 3 Watch Parties Outside MSG Due to Donald Trump’s AttendanceDonald Trump Set To Add Historic Twist to Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Tonight • >Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Drops Bold Quote Ahead of Donald Trump’s Game 3 Appearance at MSG • >Victor Wembanyama Shockingly Can’t Recall Much From Game 2, Claims It’s ‘Still Very Blurry’ as Spurs Fall to Knicks