Trump booed at Madison Square Garden attending Knicks game

The return of the NBA Finals to New York on Monday cames with a “heightened risk of attention by malicious actors,” according to a New York Police Department assessment obtained by ABC News.

President Donald Trump faced apparent boos from the crowd of passionate Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

He was seen standing in a box during the National Anthem next to New York Knicks owner James Dolan at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Trump, who has sat courtside at many Knicks games before being elected president, said he was personally invited by Dolan, who is a longtime friend of the president.

Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are both attending the game and cheering on the Knicks as they seek another win in the best-of-seven series.

“They’re really great, a great team. I’m happy for Jim because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team,” Trump told reporters last week.

Trump was seen inside his box alongside his granddaughter, Kai Trump, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Jared Kushner, among others.

When asked about attending the highly anticipated game, Mamdani said, “I’m paying for my own ticket,” in an interview with radio station 1010 Wins on Friday.

Trump and Mamdani have had personal meetings at the White House ever since the Democratic Socialist won the 2025 mayoral election.

However, Mamdani indicated on Thursday that he will be “in a very different section of the stadium” than the president during the game. He has dodged several questions about whether he will meet with Trump during his trip to New York.

“If I do see him, I will let him know what I’ve said time and again, which is we’re excited to welcome anyone and everyone who’s rooting for the Knicks,” Mamdani told 1010 Wins Friday.

The mayor had previously watched the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 21 and was seated high up in the cheaper seats along with city public advocate Jumaane Williams.

Their attendance was unannounced before the game.

-abcNEWS