TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game on Monday night, but his appearance at Madison Square Garden was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd before Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
The reaction came during the pregame performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner," when Trump appeared on the arena's giant video screens. Fans initially chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" during the national anthem, but the atmosphere shifted when cameras focused on Trump delivering a military salute.
According to AP News, the boos subsided once images of the US flag appeared on the screens and quickly turned into cheers when Knicks players were shown. Mentions of the visiting Spurs, meanwhile, drew loud boos from the home crowd.
Trump attended the game as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan and watched from the owner's suite above center court. Joining him were his granddaughter Kai Trump, senior adviser Boris Epshteyn, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and other administration officials.
The president arrived at Madison Square Garden under extensive security arrangements. His motorcade traveled through Manhattan after Marine One landed near Wall Street. Authorities established a large security perimeter around the arena, requiring fans to pass through multiple checkpoints and airport-style screening procedures.
The heightened security significantly altered the atmosphere around one of the biggest nights in recent Knicks history. New York was hosting its first NBA Finals game since 1999, with the Knicks entering the contest holding a 2-0 series lead and seeking to move within one win of their first championship since 1973.
The Guardian revealed that security measures included a 10-foot perimeter fence surrounding Madison Square Garden, a strict no-bag policy, and extensive restrictions on access to surrounding streets. The New York Police Department designated parts of Midtown Manhattan as a "frozen zone," limiting entry to ticket holders, rail passengers, authorized personnel, and local residents.
The restrictions also forced officials to cancel the popular outdoor watch party outside Madison Square Garden, which had drawn thousands of fans during the Knicks' playoff run. Alternative viewing locations were established at Bryant Park and Central Park's Wollman Rink.
Many fans expressed frustration over the disruption.
"He could have picked any other day. This night is for the fans," said Joanne Cadden, a longtime Knicks supporter from the Bronx. Referring to the extensive fencing and checkpoints around the arena, she added, "This looks like prison."
Rich Becker, a Knicks fan from Queens who came to Midtown despite not having a ticket, said Trump's presence had changed the atmosphere surrounding the game.
"It changed everything," Becker said. "Should he be here? I don't think he should, but he's coming."
Others viewed the security measures as an inconvenience but accepted them as part of the occasion. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that city residents are accustomed to presidential visits, which often bring extensive security lockdowns.
The event attracted a wide range of prominent figures. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the game after purchasing a standing-room-only ticket for approximately US$1,000. Former Yankees captain Derek Jeter, former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Timothée Chalamet, comedian Jon Stewart, actor Ben Stiller, and comedian Tracy Morgan were also present.
Trump's attendance added another chapter to his growing presence at major sporting events during his second term. He has previously attended the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, Ryder Cup, and last year's U.S. Open men's final, where enhanced security measures similarly created long entry lines for spectators.
The increased focus on presidential security follows several recent incidents involving Trump, including an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in 2024 and a separate armed threat discovered near one of his golf courses later that year.
Despite the spectacle surrounding the president's visit, attention eventually returned to the court. The Spurs defeated the Knicks 115-111, ending New York's 13-game home winning streak and cutting the Knicks' series lead to 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled to take place Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
For many fans, however, the combination of an NBA Finals game and a presidential visit made for an unusual night.
"This is amazing," longtime Knicks fan Tom Meade said while entering the arena. "The only thing close to it was the Willis Reed and Walt Frazier years."
He acknowledged the extensive security was "a nuisance," but added: "We're here to enjoy the game and the Knicks."
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