Donald Trump confirms he may attend Knicks NBA Finals game after invitation from owner James Dolan

The New York Knicks, especially during their recent renaissance, are no strangers to celebrity fans being in Madison Square Garden. But for the NBA Finals, even more big-name fans could be watching in person.

That includes the President of the United States, as Donald Trump recently indicated that he is considering attending one of the Knicks' upcoming Finals matchups.

Trump, who has past ties to the Knicks, has attended various high-profile sports events in his second term, including the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, the U.S. Open men’s final and a Yankees game.

Here's what to know about Trump's potential plans to watch the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals.

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Is Donald Trump going to Knicks NBA Finals game?

Nothing has yet been confirmed, but Trump recently indicated he has plans to attend one of the Knicks' upcoming NBA Finals games. He said that he was previously invited by team owner James Dolan to attend a potential Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 in New York, but because the Knicks swept the series, that game wasn't necessary.

He then proceeded to say he believed he'd be heading to one of the Finals games.

“I was invited to. I was going to go on Wednesday, but they closed it out very quickly. They’re great, and Jim Dolan’s a great guy — he’s as you know, owns and in charge of Madison Square Garden. He’s having a good year,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting, per the New York Post. “Boy, what a team. They win all their games. They really have some great players. I think I’ll be going to one of the games, yeah. I was invited by numerous people, and Jim, and I think it’s great. Great to see it. The Knicks have really, they’ve really suffered for years and they’re doing right now very well.”

Regardless of their opponent, the Knicks are slated to host Games 3 and 4 of the Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8 and June 10.

While it remains unclear which day Trump would attend, or where he would sit at Madison Square Garden, there appears to be a possibility he becomes the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game.

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Is Donald Trump a Knicks fan?

Trump has publicly been a Knicks supporter for years, from courtside appearances to his well-known friendship with Dolan. He recently confirmed he's still a longtime fan of the team.

“Well, I am,” Trump told TalkRadio 77 when asked if he was still a fan of the Knicks. "I get along with Jim Dolan, I think he’s a really nice guy and he’s entitled to a good team because he’s suffered a little bit."

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