LeBron James believes the New York Knicks may have benefited from opening the 2026 NBA Finals on the road, and he used a playful jab at San Antonio to make his point.

Speaking on the “Mind the Game” podcast alongside Steve Nash, James argued that beginning the series away from Madison Square Garden helped the Knicks stay focused amid the frenzy surrounding the franchise’s first Finals appearance in decades.

“I think they definitely went in with more of a free-swing mentality,” James said. “I didn’t get an opportunity to catch the game, but just from my knowledge of playing in the postseason, but also just watching the game and knowing the game.… Them starting off on the road and just knowing that it’s keeping the main thing the main thing. The main thing is the game. Let’s just play the game.”

James pointed to the intense atmosphere surrounding New York basketball and suggested that opening at home could have created unnecessary distractions.

“I can only imagine if Game 1 started at Madison Square Garden,” James said. “People asking for tickets, people wanting to be in there, the fans, all that. City’s on fire.”

MORE: Stephen A. Smith blames Jalen Brunson for Knicks’ Game 3 loss to Spurs

Then came the punchline. “I think just them having a level of being in San Antonio. I mean, San Antonio, you know, we focus on basketball. You ain’t doing s**t in San Antonio. Nothing at all. Nothing. And I mean nothing.”

Nash joined the joke, mentioning the River Walk before James replied, “Hell no. On the River Walk, f*** around and fall in the water.”

Knicks’ road success supports LeBron James’ theory

While James was clearly joking about San Antonio, his broader point has matched the series. Every game of the Finals has been won by the road team. New York stole Games 1 and 2 at the Frost Bank Center, taking a 2-0 lead before San Antonio answered with a 115-111 victory at Madison Square Garden in Game 3.

Here, the Knicks’ structure has thrived in hostile environments. Jalen Brunson has continued to control pace, while OG Anunoby’s two-way impact has translated regardless of venue. New York entered Game 3 riding a 13-game postseason winning streak.

However, the Spurs reminded everyone why the series remains dangerous. Victor Wembanyama responded to a costly Game 2 turnover with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists. “Here, it feels like five against six,” Wembanyama said of playing in New York.

MORE: Rapper Fat Joe makes ‘greatest’ prediction for Knicks in 2026 NBA Finals

The Knicks still lead 2-1, but James’ comments highlight a real factor in playoff basketball: managing pressure. New York handled that challenge early. Now, after Wembanyama’s breakout Finals performance, the tougher test is maintaining control as expectations continue to rise.

NBA fans in Minnesota witnessed a bizarre moment during Game 3 of the Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs when the broadcast briefly went dark.

As the game returned from commercial with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, fans watching on ABC’s Minnesota affiliate, KSTP, saw a replay of Knicks center Mitchell Robinson being pushed into Victor Wembanyama. But before the replay ended, the screen went dark, and the audio cut to two people talking about fake flowers.

here’s the video… pic.twitter.com/elwUIBLyEj

— Zach Halverson (@ZachHalverson) June 9, 2026

“Have you seen that TCL is using your Amazon baskets of fake flowers? They have like eight of them, and they put them out there during shots, and you can’t tell.”

For reference, Amazon does sell some pretty real-looking fake flowers. Also, for reference, TCL is KSTP’s afternoon weekday show, Twin Cities Live, and they do have some great flower baskets, which we now know are fake. But if it wasn’t Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, or Tim Legler talking about fake flowers, why are NBA fans hearing it during the Finals?

The screen stayed dark for nearly a minute before returning just in time for another commercial break. Fans missed a live play between Karl-Anthony Towns and Victor Wembanyama, which was now being challenged by the Spurs, but they were quickly brought up to speed with a replay.

Chris Long of KSTP said he was not in the studio during the blunder, but guessed the automation system kicked in at 10 p.m. The screen went dark at exactly 10 p.m. CT, when the 10 o’clock news typically begins on the ABC affiliate. And those voices talking about fake flowers likely came from the KSTP studio.

The post NBA Finals broadcast cut to hot mics from Minnesota newsdesk appeared first on Awful Announcing.

The New York Knicks remain in control of the NBA Finals at 2-1, but their 115-111 Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs has led to questions about offensive decision-making, particularly from star guard Jalen Brunson.

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith pointed directly at Brunson after New York’s 13-game postseason winning streak came to an end at Madison Square Garden.

“I’m putting it on the Knicks,” Smith said. “Jalen Brunson, I gotta put this loss on him just as much as anybody. Mike Brown to a smaller degree, but definitely Jalen Brunson.”

MORE: Karl-Anthony Towns refuses to blame referees for Knicks’ Game 3 loss

Brunson finished with 32 points and five assists but shot 11-for-25 from the field and committed five turnovers. While the box score looks productive, Smith argued the Knicks drifted away from the balanced attack that fueled their dominant playoff run.

“You launched double the amount of shots of Karl-Anthony Towns,” Smith said. “You shot more than Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart combined.”

His criticism centered on New York’s inability to involve teammates. Hart scored efficiently during the first half, while Towns managed only 11 points on 10 shots despite San Antonio frequently playing smaller lineups.

“You had an opportunity to exploit that and take advantage by getting the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns,” Smith added. “You didn’t do that.”

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks abandoned their winning formula

The numbers support part of Smith’s argument. New York made 40 field goals but recorded only 18 assists, a sharp departure from the ball movement and spacing that defined its playoff surge.

“That’s not the New York Knicks,” Smith said. “That shows there’s not a lot of fluidity. There’s not a lot of moving of the basketball. There’s not the proper spacing. There’s not a lot of things.”

The Spurs capitalized on those issues. Victor Wembanyama delivered 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Stephon Castle added 23 points. San Antonio also forced 13 Knicks turnovers and converted them into 21 points.

Smith’s criticism is fair but not absolute. Brunson remains New York’s offensive engine and nearly dragged the team back late. However, championship basketball demands balance. When Towns is underused, Bridges is neutralized by foul trouble, and the offense becomes predictable, elite defenses adjust.

MORE: President Donald Trump fires back at Stephen A. Smith following Knicks loss

Smith’s strongest observation may have been his simplest.

“That New York Knicks team ain’t winning the championship,” Smith said. “The New York Knicks team that’s gonna win the championship is the New York Knicks team that we’ve been watching over the previous 13 games. The ones that showed up last night looked nothing like that team.”

The San Antonio Spurs took down the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden to trim the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 in the NBA Finals.

After the game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown made it clear that he had a problem with the free-throw discrepancy in the game, particularly in the second half. The Spurs shot 32 free throws in the game and 24 free throws in the second half, while the Knicks shot 22 free throws in the game and eight in the second half.

Brown spent nearly five minutes questioning the Game 3 officiating in his postgame press conference.

Mike Brown spent almost 5 minutes at the start of his presser complaining about the officiating: pic.twitter.com/4R5W7SBlmm

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 9, 2026

“I want to make sure I get something clear,” Brown began. “Coach Mitch Johnson and the Spurs, they won the game tonight. They came and took the game. But I will say this- I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free-throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight. I don’t think I complain much about officials or the fairness when it comes to the free-throw attempts. San Antonio is a great team. They’re a great team. It’s going to lower our odds big time, big time, if we play Game 4, and in the second half they get free-throw attempts to our eight. And maybe we were fouling. Maybe we were fouling. But they fouled too.”

“There were opportunities for fouls to be called to at least try to even the free throws out,” Brown said. “Now, we didn’t play good. San Antonio played great. We could have played better. There were a lot of things that we didn’t do that we did in Game 1 and Game 2. But to go 24 free-throw attempts in a second half; that’s 48 for the game if you think about it the way they called it that second half. Compared to eight? All the shots we took, we got fouled four times, roughly, for eight free-throw attempts?”

“Again, I don’t complain much. I never thought I’d see that in an NBA Finals game,” Brown continued. “And I saw it tonight. It’s tough to overcome when you’re playing a great team. Having said that, again, San Antonio won the game. I’m giving their head coach and their players a lot of credit. Wemby played great. Stephon Castle played great. I’d go down the line. Fox hit a big shot late. But as a team, if you take away the fouls and the free throws that should have been, in my opinion, a little bit more even. Again, maybe we fouled that many times. But they fouled too. And it’s not shown at the end of the day on this box score.”

The Inside the NBA crew tackled Brown’s comments after the game.

The ‘Inside the NBA’ crew responds to Mike Brown’s comments about the Game 3 officiating. https://t.co/SrGjnJYprCpic.twitter.com/pSFC4siL8N

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2026

“He should have stopped (after) ‘We didn’t play well,'” Charles Barkley said about Brown. “They did not play well enough to win the game. The Spurs outplayed them tonight. Listen, referees are going to miss some calls. That happens. Officiating did not lose this game. You know I love Mike Brown… The bottom line was he should have stopped after, ‘We did not play well enough to win.’ That’s why they lost, not the free throws.”

“Ernie (Johnson), when I was good enough to lead my team to the Finals, one time I had a bad game, and Phil Jackson said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘I didn’t get no calls,'” Shaquille O’Neal explained. “He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘World champions don’t complain.’ And he walked off. Mike Brown knows better. He’s won the Warriors. He knows what it takes to win a championship. I agree with Chuck… He should have stopped at ‘We didn’t play well.’ World champions do not complain.”

“I love Mike Brown as well,” Draymond Green said. “The referees usually side with the more aggressive team. Victor Wembanyama started the game; three of their first four possessions, he had dunks. All series long, when Victor Wembanyama has rolled, it’s been like bumper cars… Now, he gets five or six lobs today. So, I blame the Knicks for that. If you’re aggressive, if you’re not letting him roll to the rim, then they’re not penetrating to get to the basket, and they’re not getting more foul calls.”

The post Knicks coach Mike Brown calls out refs: ‘I never thought I’d see that in an NBA Finals game’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

The San Antonio Spurs walked into Madison Square Garden on Monday night and pulled off exactly what the Knicks did in Games 1 and 2 at the Frost Bank Center, stealing a road game. The Spurs edged New York 115-111, cutting the series deficit to 2-1 and keeping their Finals hopes alive. 

It was overall a physical, chippy contest from the jump, but very few moments generated more heat than what happened in the first quarter between Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama.

Trailing 2-0 and in a near must-win situation, Wembanyama came out firing. He asserted himself early by attacking the rim, finishing and-ones, and making it clear he was done being passive. But his aggression against Brunson went completely unpunished. When the Knicks guard fired back right after the play, the moment completely broke the internet.

Jalen Brunson drops 7 words after Victor Wembanyama’s dirty shove

With around five minutes left in the first quarter, Brunson was trying to set a screen on Wembanyama to free up Josh Hart when the Spurs big man shoved him to the ground. In the video clips circulating online, Wemby can be seen using significant force on the Knicks guard, sending Brunson crashing to the floor.

Referees did not call a foul and missed the play entirely. Brunson immediately got into Wembanyama’s face, but the Frenchman just smiled before the point guard walked away and got back to business. 

When asked about the shove during his postgame press conference, Brunson said, “Whatever you saw is what you saw.” He avoided any extra drama, acting as if he had already moved on and accepted the physicality, with a quiet passion to return it in the next game.

Brunson on Wemby shoving him in Game 3:

“Whatever you saw is what you saw.” pic.twitter.com/BA8b1tTk5u

— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2026

The 22-year-old had previously been involved in a heavily criticized collision with OKC’s Cason Wallace in the Western Conference Finals and was ejected from a second-round game after elbowing Naz Reid. For many fans, his moment with Brunson in Game 3 of the Finals felt exactly like that villain play in the WCF.

Fans react after Jalen Brunson’s clamped response

Fan reactions went even deeper, as some people actually respected Brunson’s icy response.

One user wrote, “Wemby deserves a flagrant for what he did to Alvarado and this, and he deserves to be ejected for a game — but they won’t do that cause one more flagrant and he’d be ejected. STOP PROTECTING THIS GUY.” 

Another added, “The most respectful way to say everyone already saw it.” 

A third noted, “That’s the most ‘I’m not getting fined for this’ quote you’ll hear all week.” 

The fourth one claimed, “Had a little Marshawn Lynch type response there. I like it Brunson.”

Not everyone was on Brunson’s side, though, as one X user penned, “I saw Brunson trying to hook someone twice his size and flopping when he snuck out of it.”

Because the shove happened in the first quarter, it did not qualify for the Last Two-Minute Report. On top of that, the league office looked at the tape and decided not to hit him with a retroactive flagrant foul. Because both rules let it slide, the whole thing was basically wiped from the books,

Anyway, with the win, the Spurs caught a break, and this series definitely isn’t going to end in a sweep. With Game 4 on Wednesday and the physicality of the NBA Finals escalating, it will be interesting to see how Brunson pays Wembanyama back for that shove.

More NBA News

• Victor Wembanyama Praises 2 Teammates For Clutch Plays in Important Game 3 Win, Speaks on Trust from De’Aaron Fox
• Jordyn Woods Arrives at MSG in Custom Knicks Fit for Game 3 and Finds a Creative Fix for Her Lucky Bag Problem
• Charles Barkley Says KAT Is “Taking Wemby to the Woodshed” After Victor Wembanyama Struggles in Game 2
• Victor Wembanyama as Knicks Fans’ New Favorite Villain? Spurs Star Says It’s Still The 4-Time All-Star

The New York Knicks hosted not just the San Antonio Spurs during Game 3 of the NBA Finals but also the highest ranked person in the United States. Donald Trump was present in the Madison Square Garden to watch the the game, making history as the first ever active POTUS to attend an NBA Finals Game.

His presence was well-documented, starting from the time that the surrounding area of the MSG was secured for his arrival to the time the game started.

Most internet conversation, with the help of videos, claimed that he was booed loudly when he was shown on the jumbotron. Trump sees it differently.

Trump is booed in Madison Square Garden pic.twitter.com/HoippauVCj

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 9, 2026

Trump booed very loudly here at MSG pic.twitter.com/IeQwwqGtop

— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) June 9, 2026

Reporters caught up with the president shortly after the Knicks lost the game. He was headed to the Air Force One and media members asked him about his experience.

“I thought it was very good, it was certainly amazing, It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he said.

“It was loud and it was very enthusiastic.”

The Knicks lost the game, 111-115, no thanks to the heroics of Victor Wembanyama who scored 32 points and clutch plays from De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle who hit the two free throws that sealed the victory for his team.

Donald Trump responds to Stephen A. Smith

The Spurs played great but long before the tip-off, there were already people pushing for Trump to not attend the game as they thought he will jinx the game against the Knicks’ favor.

Firebrand commentator Stephen A. Smith is one of those. The ESPN host delivered a scathing remark against the president’s presence.

“The 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,” he said.

Trump was made aware of these comments and he blasted Smith’s intelligence.

President Trump responds to Stephen A. Smith saying he’d blame Trump if the Knicks lost tonight:

“I think he’s a nice guy but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ, I’m not sure Stephen A Smith has that.”

(h/t @big_business_) pic.twitter.com/C9xbMSTXb9

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 9, 2026

The San Antonio Spurs lost Game 2 of the NBA Finals in the closing moments, and much of the blame was placed on Victor Wembanyama, who committed two costly mistakes that led to the 105-104 loss. He turned the ball over to New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and then sent him to the free-throw line with a foul.

Brunson made one of three free throws, giving his team the lead and ultimately securing the victory.

It was a different story in Game 3, as the Spurs won 115-111 to cut the series deficit to 2-1. Wembanyama played an outstanding game, finishing with 32 points. The Spurs’ late-game execution was also much improved, allowing them to protect their lead through heads-up play.

Wembanyama praised two teammates who played key roles in that effort. Stephon Castle hit a clutch three-pointer with less than two minutes remaining to extend the Spurs’ lead to seven. However, the Knicks responded when Jalen Brunson knocked down a three-pointer to trim the deficit to three with 33 seconds left.

De’Aaron Fox then scored on a two-pointer to restore a five-point cushion, but OG Anunoby made it a one-possession game again, 113-111, with nine seconds remaining.

Castle was fouled and converted both free throws, and the Spurs played solid defense on the final possession to seal the victory.

Victor Wembanyama praises Castle and Fox

Wemby was not put in a place to make mistakes and that is thanks to his teammates who stepped up. He praised Castle for being one of the more mature players in the squad.

Wemby on Steph Castle:

“He might be the most mature player on our team, and he’s nowhere near the oldest, and he’s been in big games before. He’s been in big games before the NBA. I’m not surprised by this, and he’s shown over and over again that he’s capable and that we are…

— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) June 9, 2026

He also spoke highly of the trust level he has with Fox.

“It’s not even a question, that’s his identity. The trust is just complete,” he said when asked about relationship with Fox.

“We know it’s reliable, as reliable as they get.. he brings everything we need.”

The Spurs will need more of these dynamics come Game 4 as the Spurs try to prevent a 1-3 hole.

The Knicks’ 13-game winning streak comes to an end after President Trump attends Game 3 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/KAYDRYTuep

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 9, 2026

Trump ******* jinxed the Knicks. He ******* ruins everything

— Jamie Bonkiewicz (@JamieBonkiewicz) June 9, 2026

Like clockwork the #ETTD jinx never fails but hopefully the Knicks will be able to recover on Wednesday night after Trump’s stench leaves the building pic.twitter.com/fUmhmq6jTU

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 9, 2026

Can the Knicks carry the momentum from this reverse jinx to a comeback victory ? https://t.co/MlrcbIDuXN

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) June 9, 2026

I’m not an expert on jinxes, hexes, curses, and voodoo.

Not superstitious either.

But if I was the Knicks, I probably wouldn’t let Trump near the arena for Game 4.

Just to be on the safe side.

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 9, 2026

Trump is responsible for the Knicks losing. It’s the truth and MAGA knows it pic.twitter.com/Mclq4N2fWg

— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) June 9, 2026

End of the streak thanks to your boy pic.twitter.com/1f97VtCr6x

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) June 9, 2026

I’m with Stephen A. Smith.

This is Trump’s fault. pic.twitter.com/hP77KXsEqy

— Christopher Hale (@ChristopherHale) June 9, 2026

Trump literally shut down New York and canceled watch parties just to fall asleep during the game and curse the Knicks to a loss smh. Generational L.

— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) June 9, 2026

Read the original on HuffPost

The New York Knicks entered Game 3 at Madison Square Garden riding a 13-game winning streak and holding a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 ended 105-95, while Game 2 came down to a Jalen Brunson free throw in the final seconds. With the crowd at MSG electric and a title within reach, President Donald Trump in the luxury suites was drawing attention for a very different reason.

Viral Clip of Trump at Knicks Finals Game Sparks ‘Sleepy’ Memes

Donald Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game when he arrived at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on June 8. He watched from Knicks owner James Dolan’s suite alongside cabinet members including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and family members including Jared Kushner and granddaughter Kai Trump.

But it was a 22-second clip posted by Legion Hoops that captured social media’s attention. The video showed Trump seated still in the luxury box, hands clasped, with a slow blink and a neutral expression while the arena roared around him.

The thunderous boos had already begun when Trump appeared on the Jumbotron during the national anthem, before the jeers turned to cheers as the camera panned to Knicks star Jalen Brunson standing on the court.

The contrast did not go unnoticed online. Replies poured in comparing the clip to Trump’s long-running “Sleepy Joe” attacks on former President Joe Biden, with many users labeling the moment hypocritical.

Trump had spent years repeatedly calling Biden “Sleepy Joe,” branding him as too tired and unfit for office. The memes spread fast, and “Sleepy Don” began trending across platforms.

Despite Trump’s presence, the Spurs defeated the Knicks 115-111, led by Victor Wembanyama, cutting New York’s series lead to 2-1.

Donald Trump’s MSG Visit Triggers Midtown Shutdown

While the viral clip fueled meme cycles online, the off-court chaos told a bigger story. Trump’s high-profile attendance forced enhanced security measures across Midtown Manhattan, including TSA-style screening and a strict no-bag policy for ticket holders. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced a block-to-two-block security perimeter around the arena starting at 4 p.m. ET, more than four hours before tipoff.

The city canceled the planned outdoor watch party near MSG, drawing backlash from fans shut out of the area. Dozens were left frustrated as streets were locked down across the neighborhood. The security operation underscored how much one attendance decision reshaped the evening for thousands of Knicks fans before a single tip was taken.

The Knicks still lead the series 2-1 heading into Game 4, also at Madison Square Garden. New York will look to rebuild momentum at home, while the Spurs and Wembanyama know one more win levels the series entirely.

More NBA News:

Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Drops Bold Quote Ahead of Donald Trump’s Game 3 Appearance at MSG

[WATCH] Knicks Crowd Makes Their Feeling Known About Donald Trump During Highly-Anticipated Game 3 Appearance

Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Thinks He’s Made for Desperate Moments as They Enter NBA Finals Game 3 With Back Against the Wall

Victor Wembanyama Shrugs Off Donald Trump Question With Calm Response Ahead of Finals Game

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Two six-year-old tweets by New York Knicks player Josh Hart went viral ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday for his blunt views about President Donald Trump.

This year marks the Knicks’ first appearance in the Finals in 27 years as Hart and his teammates returned home Monday after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in the first two games of the seven-game series.

But when news broke last week that the president wanted to attend as well, it incited a wave of criticism over worries the enhanced security protocols would create a nightmare for fans and locals. Those worries proved to be well-founded when the watch party outside Madison Square Garden, as had been organized for previous games, was cancelled because of the Secret Service’s security perimeter. Several blocks around Madison Square Garden were closed “to most pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” a “strict no-bag policy” was enforced, and fans were told to arrive at least two hours early.

It all led to long lines and frustrated fans before the game, and many of them loudly booed Trump when he was shown on the Jumbotron during the performance of the national anthem.

Hart may have felt solidarity with the booing fans, according to several resurfaced tweets he wrote in 2020.

In September 2020, Trump bashed the NBA for being “highly political,” and claimed it was the reason that people were “tired of watching” and why ratings were “WAY down, and they won’t be coming back.”

“I hope football and baseball are watching and learning because the same thing will be happening to them,” Trump added. “Stand tall for our Country and our Flag!!!”

Hart shared Trump’s tweet along with a blunt comment of his own.

“What a dumbass,” wrote Hart.

A little more than two months later, on November 7 — the day that CNN and several other media outlets called Pennsylvania for Joe Biden, putting him over the 270 Electoral College votes he needed to win the election, Hart posted an exuberant all-caps reaction.

“YESSIR!!!!” wrote Hart. “GET TRUMP’S DUMBASS OUT THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!”

Both of Hart’s Trump-bashing tweets picked up new traffic as Game 3’s 8:30 pm ET tipoff approached, racking up “millions of views” and inspiring “[t]housands of fans” to show their support for Hart and “express how they feel via replies or quote tweets,” according to Yahoo Sports.

The post ‘What a Dumbass’: Knicks Player’s Old Tweets Bashing Trump Go Viral Ahead of President’s Trip to MSG first appeared on Mediaite.

Donald Trump became the first sitting United States president to attend an NBA Finals game on Monday at Madison Square Garden, and as expected, ESPN and ABC ultimately did show the president during the broadcast.

The first view of Trump came during the pregame national anthem, when ABC cut to the glass-enclosed, Secret Service-protected suite where the president was sitting. Inside the arena, the production team appeared to show the same shot at the same time, as the MSG crowd could be heard loudly booing the Queens native as he smiled back at them.

Later, coming out of a timeout during the second quarter, lead ESPN on ABC NBA announcer Mike Breen noted Trump’s presence at the game alongside Knicks owner James Dolan.

“Tonight, President Donald Trump becomes the first United States president to attend an NBA Finals game,” Breen said. “Longtime Knick fan. Certainly liked what he saw here.”

Then, Breen teed up a highlight for game analyst Tim Legler to break down.

The ESPN on ABC broadcast shows Donald Trump out of a commercial break in the second quarter.

Mike Breen: “Tonight, President Donald Trump becomes the first sitting United States president to attend an NBA Finals game. Longtime Knick fan. Certainly liked what he saw here.” https://t.co/dTLDPkYPempic.twitter.com/hZvg82cueT

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2026

Despite significant security measures in lower Manhattan to protect Trump, some of which restricted the viewing parties that have become commonplace around the city during the Knicks’ run, the game started on time.

Before the game, Front Office Sports reported that following suit with previous appearances by Trump and other presidents at sporting events it aired, ESPN would show Trump on the broadcast. At last year’s US Open, also in New York, ESPN chose not to alter its usual strategy despite a request from the USTA to censor Trump’s presence at the tournament.

However, also in line with the network’s typical approach, Breen and ESPN kept the acknowledgement brief at Game 3 on Monday night.

The post How ESPN handled Donald Trump appearance at Game 3 of NBA Finals appeared first on Awful Announcing.

NEW YORK — Fans and media dealt with a heavy police presence ahead of Monday’s NBA Finals game between the Knicks and Spurs at Madison Square Garden. 

President Donald Trump is attending the game, becoming the first sitting president to attend a Finals game. As a result, protective fencing was erected around parts of the arena and police were stationed everywhere, with a presence stretching a few blocks away from the arena to ensure safety. 

Secret Service and TSA agents were on site and helped screen fans and media on their way into the arena. Media and Garden employees entered at the Tower B entrance they usually arrive through, but first had to pass through a protective gate that was part of the perimeter fencing installed for security purposes. 

The Knicks announced fans would not be allowed to bring bags into the arena and were encouraged arrive up to two hours before tipoff to avoid security delays. Ticket prices for Game 3, which were starting as high as $11,000 early Saturday, dropped significantly as security protocols for the president’s attendance have helped depress the NBA Finals resale market. As of Monday afternoon, low-end, get-in prices began at less than $5,000 per ticket.

Two hours before tipoff, lines of fans snaked down the streets surrounding MSG.

Fan parties outside the arena were also cancelled because of the president’s appearance, with one moved to nearby Bryant Park. 

Beginning at 4 p.m., the NYPD closed streets to the public between West 30th and West 35th, from Eighth Ave. to Sixth Ave., to prepare for Trump’s arrival. Those street closures applied to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 

The arena opened to the media around 4:30 p.m. On their way into the aren, reporters’ bags were screened by TSA and wanded by Secret Service agents. Pregame media locker access for both the Spurs and Knicks was restricted on Wednesday in light of Trump’s visit, a rarity in the NBA. 

Fans with train or game tickets were allowed to enter the arena on foot. Access to Penn Station was limited to the west side entrance on Eighth Avenue, which is outside the secure area. 

Trump spent the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., after arriving Friday night from an event in Wisconsin. The president is scheduled to head to the arena in the early evening and watch the game, before returning to Washington, though he reportedly hasn’t ruled out attending Game 4 on Wednesday. 

Trump is a longtime friend of Knicks owner James Dolan, and it’s unknown if Trump will sit alongside Dolan at his usual seat behind the Knicks basket or if the president will be seated in a suite, which would be easier for security purposes. 

The Knicks are up 2–0 in the series, chasing their first championship since 1973. The last NBA Finals appearance for the Knicks was in 1999. The Spurs’ last title came in 2014, the fifth and final one of the Tim Duncan/Gregg Popovich dynasty.

The post Heavy Law Enforcement at MSG Ahead of Trump’s Arrival at NBA Finals appeared first on Front Office Sports.

The New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, and ABC/ESPN are pulling out all the stops.

Perhaps one too many stops, per some NBA fans.

Along with their main broadcast on ABC, ESPN will broadcast an All Access with The Pat McAfee Show altcast during the pivotal game.

That in and of itself is nothing new. We’ve seen similar McAfee-centric altcasts for the NFL and college football, and ESPN has made it clear it’s going to lean on McAfee for many major eventsand special broadcasts moving forward.

What is new is that ESPN is putting McAfee front and center for NBA coverage. While McAfee always finds a way to feel victimized no matter what he’s doing, there’s no denying that he fits for the company’s football coverage. The NBA, however, is an area that hasn’t always felt like it’s in his wheelhouse, so to speak.

McAfee is looking to change that, it seems, though on Monday’s episode of his eponymous show, he offered a preemptive aww-shucks-style explanation for what they had in store.

We will be calling Game 3 of the NBA Finals LIVE from Madison Square Garden..

We very much understand how incredible of an opportunity this is.. We’re gonna try and be an asset to society tonight #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/4GwgNIjsKS

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 8, 2026

“We understand how lucky we are to be in there to do this. A lot of people kind of attacking us for getting this opportunity,” said McAfee. “We think it’s ridiculous that we’re getting to do it, but I want to let everybody know this isn’t us being *ssholes here. Like, we are trying to be an asset to society.

“We’ve had an incredible opportunity to be able to do this for college football in their biggest games. National championship game, we’ve had a chance to do it. We were doing it in the Thunderdome at one point. We’re doing it as a watch-along like others have done in the past. Once we got boots on the ground and in the building, it did feel as if we were able to provide something that maybe the main telecast wasn’t able to provide. We’re going to try to do that as well tonight.

“We’re not trying to say that we are going to be a main broadcast, but you’re certainly gonna be able to watch the game with us, and we are gonna certainly create some moments I think that people will appreciate in the sports world. What we’re saying is, I understand your natural inclination whenever you see my face on something, and maybe Connor and Ty as well, to say these *ssholes are gonna ruin it. We’re trying our best not to. And maybe at the beginning you might think that is the case. We’re trying to crush this tonight.”

At this point, it’s weird that McAfee feels the need to offer any kind of apologetic response to faceless critics of anything he’s doing on ESPN. He’s the face of the company, and he’s the guy they want to put front and center as much as possible. It would almost be weirder if he didn’t do an altcast.

The whole “aww shucks we’re just humbled to be here” schtick is a well-worn bit for the former NFL punter, as is the idea that he is attempting to “be an asset to society,” a notion he’s thrown out there several times before when sensing pushback. It all feels a bit unnecessary these days, when it’s been made abundantly clear he is as in demand as anything has been at ESPN in decades.

McAfee’s inability to block out the critics remains his Achilles’ heel. It’s fairly harmless in this instance, but the more he insists on trying to be appreciated by everyone, the less likely that becomes.

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