‘I hope the GOP loses votes’: Stephen A. Smith sends clear message to Donald Trump ahead of Game 3

The New York Knicks are up 2-0 in the NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs, and have a chance to clinch the series on their home court in Madison Square Garden with wins in Games 3 and 4.

United States President Donald Trump will be in attendance for Game 3 and possibly Game 4, he confirmed on Thursday.

“I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan. 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?” Trump said on Thursday.

“The answer is yes, he’s invited me, and I’m going,” Trump said. “It could be Monday … maybe I’ll do both.”

Trump’s attendance has led to changes in the security protocols for Game 3 and has resulted in the cancellation of what would’ve been a major watch party outside of the venue. Now, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a diehard Knicks fan, is making it clear that he plans on blaming the distraction caused by Trump’s attendance if New York drops Game 3.

“This president has no business showing up in New York City…it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game,” Smith said on Monday’s episode of First Take.

“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the United States! And damnit, I hope the GOP loses votes because of it if we lose tonight!” – Stephen A. Smith https://t.co/rrKEjBgLw1 pic.twitter.com/IAZAXJrv0y

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 8, 2026

“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the United States! And damnit, I hope the GOP loses votes because of it if we lose tonight!” he continued.

Game 3 will tip off on ABC at 8:30 EST. Trump and the rest of the Knicks faithful will be rooting for a win, otherwise the President’s attendance may turn into a story of its own.