Did Knicks players ignore Trump presence?

Knicks addressed Trump distraction before Game 3

Ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, coverage in the pool points to a direct focus on whether President Donald Trump’s attendance would affect the New York Knicks. One report quotes the idea that Knicks players would not be distracted by his presence, underscoring an effort to keep attention on the Spurs and the series itself.

Why it matters during a Finals

A Finals game is already high-pressure—adding a major political figure to the arena increases the likelihood of extra media focus, fan noise, and social media amplification. In the pool, Trump’s arrival is also linked to loud boos and ongoing online discussion about his role in the night’s attention.

The Knicks’ apparent messaging (that the team would stay focused on basketball) functions as a reassurance to supporters and a way to manage distractions in real time.

MSG spectacle and safety management

Other pool items describe MSG adding visible barriers around Trump’s attendance area, reflecting how the event was treated as a security and logistics issue as well as a sports spectacle.

Taken together, the pool’s Sports + celebrity + politics overlap shows how the arena became more than just a basketball venue that night.

No further specifics were provided about what players said beyond the general stance that they wouldn’t be thrown off by his presence.