President Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to attend at least one NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden next week, accepting an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan. The NBA believes it would make him the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
"The answer is yes — he's invited me, I'm going," Trump said of Dolan's invitation, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. He said he was eyeing Game 3 on Monday but did not rule out Game 4 on Wednesday. "Maybe I'll do both."
According to ABC News, Trump described himself as a "big fan" of both the team and its owner. He said he caught part of Game 1 on Wednesday, when the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs to take a 1-0 series lead. Trump said he missed portions of the game because of other obligations. "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," he said. "Really amazing."
Trump made the comments after an event focused on his administration's efforts to promote the U.S. coal industry. He offered a brief recap of Game 1 and praised the Knicks for their defense against Spurs center 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."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke earlier Thursday amid reports that Trump might attend. Silver said some former presidents had attended NBA games over the years, but confirmed the Finals appearance would be a first for a sitting president. He also recalled Trump's long history as a Knicks fan, dating back well before his political career.
"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."
Silver said Trump's presence would require added security in and around the arena, which would almost certainly affect travel times for fans attending the game. He suggested fans would be understanding. "I think the fans are very understanding of that," Silver said. "I think they recognize that it adds to the bigness o[f the event]."
Silver also framed the visit in broader terms, saying sports can serve a unifying purpose in politically divided times. "We can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart," he said. "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."
Game 3 is scheduled for Monday at Madison Square Garden.
