Fans who shelled out tens of thousands of dollars to witness the New York Knicks play in the NBA Finals faced a daunting new challenge: the possibility of missing the start due to heightened security for President Trump’s visit.
Outside Madison Square Garden, a restless crowd of thousands awaited entry as President Trump arrived for one of New York’s most eagerly anticipated sports events. Some attendees reported confusion among police officers regarding the protocols for Trump’s presence, adding to the chaos.
Lines stretched at least four blocks from the venue, with metal detectors positioned 200 feet away, requiring every fan to pass through as Secret Service agents looked on. Protesters also gathered nearby, contributing to the mounting tension as the game’s tipoff time approached.
The New York Police Department and Secret Service erected a wide security perimeter around the arena, controversially canceling the popular watch parties outside. The NYPD closed all sidewalks and streets from West 30th to West 35th Streets between Sixth and Eighth Avenues, effectively halting pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Fans were prohibited from bringing bags inside, adding to the frustration as they waited to enter. Meanwhile, President Trump arrived by helicopter near Wall Street, with his motorcade driving him to the iconic Manhattan venue. As his car neared, Trump waved to the waiting fans who had endured long delays.
The Knicks are leading the series against the San Antonio Spurs 2-0, sparking a frenzy of excitement across New York City ahead of Game 3, the first in Manhattan. Fans are eager to see the team capture their first championship of the century and break a championship drought that has lasted over 50 years.
New York Knicks fans lined up around Madison Square Garden before the NBA Finals
Fans lucky enough to have a ticket suddenly faced the prospect of missing the start
President Trump pictured in the Beast as he made his way towards Madison Square Garden
He waved to supporters who filmed him making his way through Manhattan and to the game
The Knicks last made the NBA Finals in 1999 and have not won one since 1973.
But with history beckoning, Trump’s decision to attend has now seemingly turn the excitement into anxiety for those lucky enough to have gotten their hands on the hottest ticket in town.
Trump has attended multiple high-profile sporting events in his second term in office.
He became the first sitting President to attend a Super Bowl when he made it to the showpiece game in February 2025 in New Orleans, watching the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fans faced similar issues to the Knicks followers when he attended the men’s US Open final last year, too. Trump has also appeared at the Ryder Cup, a New York Yankees game on the anniversary of 9/11 and other NFL games.
But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome at the game, despite the issues it was causing the Knicks fans
”I found out (Trump was going) because Jim Dolan (the New York Knicks owner) invited him to the game and he said yes,’ Silver said on ESPN. ‘He is welcome to be here.
‘What I will say about PResident Trump is that he was a fixture at NBA, Madison Square Garden. A genuine Knicks fan. Yes, some inconvenience to fans but if you look around the area, it is getting packed. People listened and got here early. We should be using sports to create more of a sense of community.’
As chaos emerged around MSG, Trump’s helicopter touched down near Wall Street
The calm before the storm inside MSG as fans desperately waited to make it inside
Knicks fans are desperately hoping their team wins their first championship since 1973
The Knicks ticket prices rocketed in price after the Knicks stormed into a 2-0 lead from the first two games in San Antonio – fans were splahing out over $10,000 for the cheapest seats in the world famous venue.
Trump will be one of many famous faces inside the venue for Game 3. Knicks superfans and Hollywood stars Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller are expected to be sitting courtside.
Others, including Larry David and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, had made it into the building in good time. The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, has said he will be there too.
Trump’s attendance was slammed on Monday by ESPN’s increasingly political analyst Stephen A. Smith, who called him ‘narcissistic’ for his move.
‘This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game,’ Smith said on First Take.
‘I would say the same thing if it were Obama, George W., Clinton. I don’t give a damn, we went back to Reagan.
‘This is not a football stadium in some space in Texas where you got a whole bunch of outlays and all of this.
Tickets had been changing hands for over $10,000 before the game on Monday night
‘This is the Garden. This is Midtown Manhattan. You have any idea what the congestion is going to be like in New York City here?
‘I get off my radio show at 3 o’clock. I’ve been instructed that I got to go straight to the Garden for an 8:30 game. Because that’s how bad traffic is going to be.’
Smith continued his rant against the President’s decision by saying that if the Knicks lose tonight and break their 13-game winning streak, that Trump is the one to blame.
‘Anything that disrupts it, if it causes the New York Knicks to lose, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the United States. I’mma stay on that. I’mma stay on that.’
Game 4, which Trump is not attending, is held on Wednesday night and if the Knicks win on Monday, they will be playing for the championship.
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