President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, had previously said he was invited by New York Knicks governor James Dolan to attend a playoff game. Kyle Mazza / Anadolu via Getty ImagesJune 3, 2026 5:49 pm EDT Updated SAN ANTONIO — President Donald J. Trump plans to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at New York’s Madison Square Garden, four league sources briefed on his likely attendance told The Athletic.Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, had previously said he was invited by New York Knicks governor James Dolan to attend a playoff game. He also stated his interest in seeing the Knicks play in the finals. They will indeed play their first finals game in New York in 27 years on Monday night, and, barring any changes to his schedule, Trump will be on hand for the game, those sources said. They were provided anonymity to speak freely about White House scheduling.The White House did not immediately respond to The Athletic.The last sitting president to attend an NBA game was President Barack Obama in 2015, when he saw his Chicago Bulls host the Cleveland Cavaliers.Like most major professional sports leagues, the NBA is participating in the country’s 250th birthday by having its championship teams wear America250 patches on their jerseys. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was among the heads of sport scheduled to attend a news conference announcing the America250 patches last winter, but it was canceled due to inclement weather and scheduling conflicts with the NFL.Trump attended the 2025 Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans shortly after his inauguration, and in January attended the College Football National Championship between Indiana and Miami in Miami Gardens, Fla.Jun 3, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms