With President Trump expected to attend Game 3 of NBA Finals, Knicks say fans should arrive at least 2 hours early
United States President Donald Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
On Saturday evening, the New York Knicks, who are up 2-0 on the San Antonio Spurs in the series, released a statement in preparation for Trump's attendance. The team is encouraging fans to arrive at least two hours before tip-off. The Knicks also said spectators should expect enhanced security measures.
"As we move closer to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, Madison Square Garden and the United States Secret Service want to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all ticket holders by sharing important security procedures that will be in place," the statement reads.
"A strict no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should make every effort to limit personal items to an absolute minimum. Fans should expect enhanced security measures when entering Madison Square Garden, including TSA_style screening procedures."
Game 3 is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET start. That means, per the Knicks' guidance, fans should plan to arrive at the latest by 5:30 p.m. ET "to allow additional time for screening and entry."
On Thursday, Trump confirmed he'd be attending an NBA Finals game at MSG. He'd be the first sitting U.S. president to go to an NBA Finals game. The last sitting U.S. president to attend any NBA game was Barack Obama in 2015, according to The Athletic.
"I've been a Knick fan for a long time, and I'm also a Jim Dolan fan," Trump said Thursday, referring to Knicks owner James Dolan. "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. …"
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After discussing New York's Game 1 comeback and effusing about Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, Trump said Dolan invited him to attend an NBA Finals game and that he is going.
Trump was then asked which game he'd be at. He said Game 3 was a possibility but joked he could show up at Game 4 as well.
"It could be Monday … maybe I'll do both," he said.
Trump has attended several sporting events while president. But, naturally, his presence commands significant security, as the Knicks alluded to in their statement on Thursday. Last year, when Trump made an appearance at the US Open men's singles final in New York, massive security lines led to stretches of empty seats at the beginning of the match, even after the U.S. Tennis Association pushed the start time back because of the entry delays.
Missing even a few minutes of Game 3 would prove costly given the exorbitant prices fans have had to pay to attend.
Earlier this week, Trump was asked about those sky-high prices and how everyday Americans can't afford tickets to an event like that.
"Well, I know, but they can watch it on television," Trump said, via CBS News. "It's sort of semi-free to watch it on television. But that's the way life goes. … Now if the game wasn't a big — if the team wasn't a big success, you could go very easily. So you can do that, too."
Trump reiterated: "But that's the way life is, you know. They've had great success. And don't forget, they've suffered also losses, and they've suffered during the bad time. Now they have a good time. They have a team that's amazing."
The Knicks have won 13 straight playoff games, good for the second-longest win streak in NBA playoff history.
