The New York Knicks are up 1-0 over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals after an impressive second-half performance from point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson and the Knicks will look to go up 2-0 in the series on Friday night before heading back to New York for Games 3 and 4.
It was reported ahead of the series that United States President Donald Trump, a lifelong Knicks fan, was considering attending one of New York’s home games at Madison Square Garden.
On Thursday, Trump confirmed that he’d be attending the Finals.
“I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time, and I’m also a (Knicks owner Jim Dolan) fan,” Trump said. “He’s a nice guy, OK? He spent a long time wanting to win and he’s a competitive guy and he’s got a team that’s amazing. I don’t think they’ve lost a playoff game. Can you imagine that?
President Trump: “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time, and I’m also a James Dolan fan, he’s a nice guy.” pic.twitter.com/22UEuzsQEH
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 4, 2026
“It was not looking good. I saw the beginning of the game and it wasn’t looking good. I missed the middle because I talked to generals all night long, but I watched that end of the game and they were dominant.
“Really amazing. Wemby’s a great player — he’s going to be a great player and he is already a great player. 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 a great team and I’m happy for Jim because Jim has been fighting hard to produce such a team, so yes, you never know.
“The answer is yes, he’s invited me, and I’m going.”
Trump is wrong about the Knicks being undefeated this postseason; New York dropped two games to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, but all the same, NBA commissioner Adam Silver is happy the President will be in attendance supporting the league.
“President Trump is very much a New Yorker. I’m thrilled another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team,” Silver said, per Ben Golliver.
It’ll be interesting to see if Trump is in a press box or is in the mix with the likes of celebrities such as Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.