Knicks fans widely attributed the loss to Trump’s presence, venting their frustration on social media and in venue commentary. In addition to the political moment, game notes highlighted Trump’s on-site interactions with Knicks owner James Dolan and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, his reception from the crowd during the national anthem, and reports of him appearing to fall asleep during the game. He sat in a VIP suite rather than courtside, and it remains unclear whether he will attend Game 4.
Key highlights:
– First Knicks loss in 14 games; Spurs steal road win to cut series deficit to 2-1.
– Trump’s attendance marked a historic moment as the first sitting president at an NBA Finals game, with increased security.
– Fans and analysts linked the loss to Trump’s presence, while Trump was seen engaging with team ownership and league officials and was booed during the national anthem.
