President Donald Trump’s planned appearance at Monday night’s NBA Finals game has sparked controversy after ESPN star Stephen A. Smith publicly declared that he does not want Trump attending the highly anticipated matchup at Madison Square Garden.
With the New York Knicks holding a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, excitement is reaching a fever pitch across New York City. But according to Smith, Trump’s presence could distract from the celebration.
Stephen A. Smith Says Trump Should Stay Away
The outspoken ESPN commentator first made headlines during his SiriusXM radio show when he said he hoped Trump would reconsider attending Game 3.
The remarks quickly went viral, drawing criticism from many sports fans and Trump supporters who questioned why Smith appeared bothered by the former president attending a basketball game.
As backlash grew online, Smith took to social media to defend his position.
“Grow the Hell up!” Smith wrote on X.
“I have a problem with any politician — any politician — that shows up, causes delays and interferes with these watch parties buzzing all over NYC. It’s not political.”
Smith insisted that his concern was preserving the atmosphere surrounding the Knicks’ championship run rather than making a political statement.
“It’s about the Knicks and the vibe this city has going,” he added. “Anyone who messes with that needs to not show up.”
Trump’s Attendance Creates Major Buzz
Trump’s announcement that he plans to attend Game 3 has generated enormous attention ahead of one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
Madison Square Garden officials recently advised fans to arrive as much as two hours early because of heightened security surrounding the game.
The additional security measures have only fueled discussion about Trump’s appearance and the impact it could have on the event.
For many fans, however, the attention surrounding Trump’s attendance is simply adding to the excitement.
Hochul’s Knicks Joke Backfires
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently attempted to question Trump’s loyalty as a Knicks fan, but her criticism quickly drew ridicule.
Hochul challenged Trump to name the starting lineup from the Knicks’ “1993 championship team.”
The problem? There was no 1993 championship team.
The New York Knicks last won an NBA title in 1973, a fact many basketball fans were quick to point out.
Trump later responded by sharing an AI-generated image showing himself wearing a Knicks jersey and dunking over Hochul.
The image quickly spread across social media.
Mayor Dodges Trump Question
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was also drawn into the controversy this week.
When asked whether Knicks fans should boo Trump if he appears at Madison Square Garden, Mamdani refused to tell fans how they should react.
“I think one of the things that I’ve learned is don’t give advice to other Knicks fans,” Mamdani said.
“They will make their own decisions.”
His answer did little to quiet speculation about how the crowd may respond when Trump arrives.
Knicks Player Appears Excited
Not everyone associated with the team seems concerned about Trump’s appearance.
Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson appeared enthusiastic when responding to a fan’s TikTok video joking that he would play with extra energy if Trump were watching courtside.
“You ain’t lying brother,” Robinson replied.
The response quickly circulated among fans online.
All Eyes On Madison Square Garden
Whether fans cheer, boo, or simply focus on the action on the court, one thing is certain: Donald Trump’s expected appearance has become one of the biggest storylines heading into Game 3.
With the Knicks now just two wins away from capturing an NBA championship, Madison Square Garden is expected to be electric.
And thanks to the debate surrounding Trump’s attendance, millions of Americans will be watching not only the game itself—but also the crowd’s reaction when the former president walks into the arena.