Adedokun Waliyu 
U.S. President Donald Trump was booed by sections of the crowd during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Fans jeered when Trump appeared on the arena’s big screen during the singing of the U.S. national anthem. The president was watching the game from an executive suite.
His visit prompted extensive security measures around the venue. Authorities restricted access to several blocks surrounding Madison Square Garden and cancelled public watch parties that had been held outside the arena during previous games in the series.
Fans attending the game were advised to arrive early to pass through airport-style security screening, and bags were prohibited inside the arena.
The game featured the New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs won 115–111, reducing New York’s lead in the best-of-seven championship series to 2–1.
Large numbers of Secret Service agents and New York police officers were deployed around the venue. Security officials also used counter-drone technology to help protect the president.
Some New Yorkers and political figures criticized the disruption caused by the visit. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of diverting attention from a major moment for the city and expressed frustration over the restrictions.
Protesters were seen along parts of the president’s motorcade route carrying anti-Trump signs.
Despite the inconvenience, some basketball fans welcomed Trump’s attendance. One fan interviewed at the event said it was interesting to see the president attend the game, even though the additional security affected celebrations around the arena.
Among the notable attendees was Zohran Mamdani, who attended the game as the Knicks pursued their first NBA championship since 1973.
The Secret Service stated that its primary goal was to ensure that spectators could enjoy the game safely while the agency carried out its responsibility to protect the president.
Police also noted that a stabbing incident at nearby Penn Station the previous day was unrelated to terrorism and did not pose a broader security threat to the event.
