Donald Trump made history by becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals series game, but his presence at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs quickly became a talking point for reasons beyond the court action. Trump was filmed in his courtside box appearing to momentarily fall asleep, sparking a wave of reactions across social media.
A historic visit, a controversial moment
Attending the high-stakes game alongside Knicks owner James Dolan and his granddaughter Kai Trump, the former president’s arrival necessitated heightened security measures, leading to longer queues for fans entering the arena. When Trump appeared on the big screen, he was met with “cat calls” from sections of the crowd. However, it was the footage of him seemingly dozing off that ignited a broader debate.
Critics were quick to pounce on the moment, with one person on X remarking, “Bringing half your cabinet courtside just to take a historic nap is wild. He didn’t come to watch the Knicks; he just paid thousands for a premium snooze.” Another critic echoed the sentiment, stating, “‘Fallen asleep at the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden’ is not a sentence you expect to read about a sitting president. But here we are.”
Conversely, some came to Trump’s defense. One supporter on X argued, “Presidents are not obligated to cheer like college kids at every game. A quiet moment in a suite is not a scandal or medical emergency, it is human.” The incident, reported by GiveMeSport, overshadowed what was otherwise a significant moment for a sitting president to attend the league’s championship series.
Read also: Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs to crucial Game 3 victory over Knicks
Spurs cut series lead as Knicks’ streak ends
Despite the off-court drama, the game itself delivered a compelling contest. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks, cutting the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship. The loss also brought an end to the Knicks’ impressive 13-game winning streak. For context, the Golden State Warriors hold the record for consecutive wins with 15 in 2017.
The Spurs made a decisive push in the third quarter, scoring 35 points to shift the momentum. Key plays in the closing minutes sealed the victory for San Antonio:
Stephon Castle scored a crucial three-pointer, extending the Spurs’ lead to 111-104 with just under two minutes remaining.
OG Anunoby hit a late three-pointer for the Knicks, bringing them within two points and keeping the game tight.
Read also: Real Madrid sent request to UEFA: Sought to cancel 17 years of Barcelona trophies
Stephon Castle secured the win with two free throws in the final 10 seconds.
Rookies Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were particularly highlighted for their strong performances in the Spurs’ vital win.
The star-studded event also saw a host of other celebrities in attendance, including Timothee Chalamet, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Larry David, and Eli Manning. The series is set to continue on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden before returning to San Antonio on Saturday night for Game 5.
Sources: www.givemesport.com, X
Read also: Top FIFA referee denied entry to US ahead of 2026 World Cup
Read also: Hansi Flick wants Jules Kounde out, Barcelona set for large price tag
