When President Donald Trump descends on Manhattan Monday night, he’ll be joined by a pair of top White House aides and at least one Republican gubernatorial hopeful, but New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will be far away from the action, both on and off the court.Mamdani said at a Monday afternoon press conference that he paid nearly $1,000 for a standing-room-only ticket for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. The White House did not indicate Trump would meet with Mamdani during the president’s visit to the Big Apple.Still, the White House played its cards close to the chest when discussing just who exactly will join the president for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, or where he will be seated. Knicks owner James Dolan is close with the president, having previously donated to Trump’s political operation and allowing him to hold a campaign rally at MSG in 2024. Public speculation expects Trump to sit in the owner’s box Monday night.
Trump, a lifelong Knicks fan, will bring at least White House communications director Steven Cheung and Office of Presidential Personnel director Dan Scavino, according to persons familiar with the president’s plans. Both men have frequently attended sporting events with Trump. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Trump’s endorsed candidate in the 2026 New York governor’s race, said over the weekend that he will meet with the president before the game and might grab “a hamburger” with him.
