President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he plans to attend at least one NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden. If he follows through, it would be the first time a sitting U.S. president has ever attended an NBA Finals game. Trump said he has received invitations from multiple sources, including James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks and CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment.
Trump made the comments at a press briefing in the White House. “I think I'll be going to one of the games,” he said. The president has made attending major sporting events a routine part of his public schedule, including the college football national championship, a Yankees game on September 11, and the U.S. Open men’s singles final.
The New York Knicks will face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals following their four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. No NBA champion has visited the White House during Trump’s current term. The 2019 Thunder team cited a “timing issue” for skipping the invitation.
The last sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game was Barack Obama, who watched Game 2 of the 2019 Finals in Toronto. That was after he left office. Trump’s potential attendance at MSG could mark a historic shift in how presidents engage with pro basketball.
James Dolan, a longtime Trump campaign donor, has not publicly confirmed the logistics of the event. A Madison Square Garden spokesperson said, “We don't know if President Trump is coming to the finals, but the president of the United States - no matter who is in office - is always welcome at all our venues.”
According to a player poll conducted by The Athletic in April, 53.4 percent of NBA players would accept a White House invitation, while 46.6 percent would not. The poll included responses from players across all teams.
The Knicks have not yet confirmed any official plans for Trump’s potential attendance. The team is currently preparing for the Finals matchup, which will be determined by the Spurs-Thunder series.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 5. The Knicks will look to make history both on and off the court as the season reaches its climax.
The United States Women’s National Team has reunited its celebrated "Triple Espresso" trio for the first time since the 2024 Olympic gold medal match. Mallory Swanson returns to the fold alongside Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson as the USWNT announced its 26-player roster for two upcoming friendlie
2 hours ago
The battle for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is heating up as Ivar Stenberg continues to make a strong case against Gavin McKenna. While the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to take McKenna, Stenberg’s standout performance at the 2026 IIHF World Championships has forced evaluators to
3 hours ago
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on May 27, 2026, completing a four-game sweep that stunned the Presidents’ Trophy-winning team. Vegas outshot Colorado 31-23 in the series-clincher, with goaltender Logan Thompson stopping 29 of 31
3 hours ago
The Edmonton Oilers are keeping a close eye on the NHL coaching landscape as two potential candidates emerge from the Golden Knights’ four-game sweep of the Colorado Avalanche. Jared Bednar and John Tortorella, both with Stanley Cup experience and playoff success, could become available in the comin
3 hours ago