MSG fans prioritise sport over politics amid Trump’s NBA Finals appearance
While political figures and media personalities debate the propriety of Donald Trump attending the New York Knicks’ series against the San Antonio Spurs, supporters on the ground remain focused on the game.
New York Knicks supporters have largely dismissed political controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s attendance at the NBA Finals, emphasising their focus on the sport rather than the former president’s presence. Following reports that ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith condemned the appearance, MS NOW investigative reporter Marc Santia interviewed fans outside Madison Square Garden on Monday night, capturing a sentiment of indifference that contrasts with earlier reports of local displeasure.
Fans expressed a clear preference for keeping political discourse separate from the sporting event. Kyu Kim, wearing a Jalen Brunson jersey, told Santia that the presence of Trump or any other figure was irrelevant to the team’s performance. “The more the merrier,” Kim said, adding that fans intended to act as the “Sixth Man” to support the team regardless of external factors.
Roger Verno echoed this perspective, urging supporters to disregard the political implications and the logistical challenges of attending. He noted that despite enhanced security measures requiring fans to arrive approximately two hours early, the wait was justified by the significance of the game. “Just worry about the Knicks,” Verno said, dismissing concerns about Trump’s attendance.
This view stands in contrast to interviews conducted by CNN on Sunday, where some New Yorkers expressed frustration with Trump’s presence, citing his recent treatment of the city. The divergence in public opinion highlights the polarised nature of the event, which has drawn scrutiny from both media figures and political leaders.
The incident has intensified existing political tensions in New York. Governor Kathy Hochul recently attempted to challenge Trump’s knowledge of Knicks history by asking him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 championship team, a reference to a year the Knicks did not win. Trump responded by posting an AI-generated image of himself dunking in a Knicks jersey. Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani avoided answering whether fans should boo Trump, stating he does not offer advice to other supporters.
On the court, the Knicks hold a 2-0 series lead against the San Antonio Spurs. Backup centre Mitchell Robinson appeared to embrace the attention, responding positively to a TikTok video that joked he would be hyper-active during the game with Trump watching. Robinson told the fan, “you ain’t lying brother,” signalling a readiness to perform regardless of the political backdrop.
Stephen A. Smith has been vocal in his criticism, describing Trump’s attendance as “selfish, narcissistic, and ridiculous” on his programme First Take. Smith argued that the president has no business appearing in New York City, a stance that has drawn significant media attention. Despite this, the fans interviewed by MS NOW maintained that the game is about the Knicks’ pursuit of history, not political theatre.
