The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump will not attend Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the decision is due to 'scheduling conflicts and obligations.' This comes just days after Trump made history by becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game during Game 3.
Trump, a lifelong Knicks fan, watched most of Game 3 from a suite at MSG. But his presence didn't bring the home team much luck. The New York Knicks fell to the San Antonio Spurs 115-111, snapping their 13-game postseason winning streak. The Knicks had previously become just the third team in NBA history to take a 2-0 lead by winning the first two games on the road.
Many fans quickly pointed fingers at Trump, claiming his attendance brought thunderous boos and bad vibes. Social media erupted with jokes about the 'Trump curse.' One user quipped, 'He knew its bad juju for Mitchell Robinson, him sleeping.' Another wrote, 'Scheduling conflicts lol no he's just a fair weather fan who hates being around losing. Once he realized the Knicks weren't sweeping, he lost interest.'
The criticism wasn't limited to fans. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had earlier expressed concerns about Trump attending Game 3, and some observers noted that Knicks fans roared with boos when Trump appeared on the jumbotron. The negative reaction was so intense that Game 3 ticket prices tanked as some fans decided to stay away.
Now that Trump is skipping Game 4, the mood among Knicks supporters has lightened considerably. Many see his absence as a chance for the team to regain its rhythm. 'We're so back. Go Knicks,' wrote one relieved fan on X.
Still, the Knicks face a tough challenge. The Spurs have momentum after their Game 3 win, and questions about officiating linger. Some fans have even called for Victor Wembanyama to face consequences for shoving Jalen Brunson during the game. The series is now 2-1 in favor of the Knicks, but Game 4 could be pivotal.
For Trump, the decision to stay away might be a tactical one. With the Knicks facing pressure to avoid a series tie, his absence spares him from another round of criticism if the home team loses. As one fan put it, 'Trump left the game with 7 minutes to go.' Perhaps he's learned his lesson about mixing politics with playoff basketball.
