President Trump dismisses being booed while attending NBA Finals in New York

President Donald Trump downplayed his negative reception in New York after becoming the first sitting US president to attend the NBA finals on Monday.

During the national anthem before the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, President Trump was shown on the jumbo screens saluting the American flag, resulting in a loud chorus of boos.

"It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers," he told reporters ahead of boarding Air Force One bound for Washington after staying until the game ended. "It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic."

The Athletic reported that Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, drew louder boos than the Spurs.

Invited to attend by Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump sat in a suite near midcourt, halfway up the seating area, in a box constructed for his visit with bulletproof glass. The glass was one of several security measures taken with Trump in attendance.

Fans were heavily disrupted and delayed entering the stadium with multiple checkpoints were set up to gain entry. Police and Secret Service personnel covered every corner outside with bulletproof barriers circling the arena.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome to the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, adding that the President is a "genuine Knicks fan."

"What makes sports so special, especially when there's so much that divides people, is that it's something we have in common," Silver told ESPN.

According to ESPN, fans made rude gestures toward Trump upon his motorcade's arrival at MSG, along with others holding signs that read "Trump must go."

"Yes, there's some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it's packed," Silver said. "People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary."

Both coaches downplayed any talk that President Trump's presence was a distraction to the teams ahead of Game 3.

"My focus is just what's next and what's in front of me, and Game 3 is front of us right now," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "I feel our group is that way, too."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3. He told the media he purchased his own standing-room-only ticket, spending nearly $1,000.