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Donald Trump was present at game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden between the Knicks and the Spurs, and the crowd’s reaction to his attendance has become a viral topic online. While it’s now widely known that the 79-year-old faced significant booing during the event, he also appeared to be dozing off during the game. The question remains: did Trump actually fall asleep?
Trump’s appearance at this major sporting event ignited discussions throughout New York. Some attendees voiced their disapproval of the politician, particularly given the increased security measures that added to the inconvenience for those present. However, others expressed their support for Trump.
Here’s a recap of what transpired during game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Who Was in Attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals?
Besides Trump, other notable figures who attended game 3 included Tina Fey, Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, and avid Knicks supporter Timothée Chalamet.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was also at the game, though he did not occupy a seat near Trump. He opted to purchase a standing-room-only ticket for approximately $1,000, rather than a seat.
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When questioned about the possibility of encountering Trump at the game, Mamdani, 34, informed reporters, “I invested close to $1,000 in my tickets. And I’ll be standing for the entire game. … Regarding the president, I have no planned meeting with him; however, I am confident that our dialogue will continue on how best to serve this city.”
Tickets for game 3 at Madison Square Garden were exceptionally expensive, with prices ranging from $3,000 to as high as $20,000.
Trump has fallen asleep at the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/j9AOnzDDxe
— FactPost (@factpostnews) June 9, 2026
Was Trump Actually Nodding Off at the Knicks vs. Spurs Game?
Based on video footage circulating on social media, it appeared that the Republican politician might have briefly dozed off on a few occasions during the Spurs vs. Knicks game. Trump’s eyes seemed noticeably heavy as the cameras shifted back to him, though it remains uncertain if he was truly asleep.
Did Trump Receive Boos at the Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals Match?
Yes. Trump was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the basketball fans at MSG. Numerous videos have surfaced on social media capturing loud jeers from the audience when Trump’s image was displayed on the Jumbotron.
Fox News also featured an Instagram video where some attendees chanted, “USA!” as Trump’s face was shown on the screen.