Trump’s NBA Finals Appearance Draws Boos, Commissioner Silver Calls Him ‘Genuine Knicks Fan’

President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game when he was invited by New York Knicks owner James Dolan to Game 3 of the series between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Trump is a “genuine Knicks fan,” noting his past courtside seats and attendance at the NBA draft in New York.

Trump’s presence was met with loud boos from fans, and the Knicks lost the game 115‑111. Security measures around Madison Square Garden limited fan gathering, and some commentators, including Stephen A. Smith, blamed the president for “jinxing” the team. The appearance adds to Trump’s record of attending major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, the Ryder Cup, and the U.S. Open men’s tennis championship.