Spurs cut Knicks' Finals lead to 2-1 as Trump draws boos and tight security at Madison Square Garden

Spurs rally behind Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs cut the New York Knicks' lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals to 2-1 with a 115-111 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals. Stephon Castle added 23 points for San Antonio. Jalen Brunson scored 32 for the Knicks and OG Anunoby contributed 28, but the home team could not hold a seven-point halftime lead. The Spurs erased the deficit quickly in the second half and answered every Knicks rally attempt.

We've done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done. We're not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come.

At 22 years and 158 days, Wembanyama became the third-youngest player in Finals history to record a 30-point game, behind only Alvan Adams (21 years, 316 days) and Magic Johnson (20 years, 276 days). The Knicks saw their 13-game playoff winning streak end. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night, again in New York.

Trump booed during anthem

President Donald Trump attended the game as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, becoming the first sitting US president to appear at an NBA Finals game. When the arena video screens showed Trump during the national anthem, the Madison Square Garden crowd responded with loud boos that lasted roughly ten seconds, according to multiple reports. A minority of fans cheered, but the jeers were clearly dominant. Cameras later captured Trump appearing to fall asleep during a stretch of the third quarter.

He's welcome. What makes this sport so special is that it brings us together.

Trump watched from Dolan's executive suite, joined by his granddaughter Kai Trump, adviser Boris Epshteyn, and several cabinet members including Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum. During the second quarter he spoke with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.

Security operation reshapes fan experience

The presidential visit triggered an extensive security operation around Madison Square Garden. Authorities erected a roughly three-meter fence around parts of the arena and deployed thousands of NYPD officers alongside hundreds of Secret Service personnel, some heavily armed. The Secret Service also planned to use anti-drone technology as part of the protective measures. Ticket holders were told to arrive at least two hours before the 8:30 pm tip-off for airport-style screening, and bags were banned inside the venue.

The message is simple: celebrate the Knicks, but avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets for the game.

A planned watch party outside Madison Square Garden was cancelled, breaking from the first two Finals games which had drawn large festive crowds. An alternative viewing area with big screens was set up at Bryant Park for roughly 5,000 Knicks fans. After the game, around 11 pm, clashes broke out between fans leaving Bryant Park and police officers as the crowd spilled into nearby streets and blocked traffic.

Star-studded crowd and record ticket prices

The game drew a heavy celebrity turnout alongside the political drama. Jay-Z, Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Josh Safdie, Spike Lee, Fat Joe and DJ Khaled were among those in attendance. Cardi B performed at halftime. Heidi Klum cheered the Knicks from Los Angeles via an Instagram Story. The game became the most expensive basketball ticket in history, with individual seats costing more than $9,000 and courtside places listed at up to $500,000.

What comes next

The Spurs now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, with tip-off scheduled for 2:30 am Central European Time (Thursday morning). The Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973 and last reached the Finals in 1999, when they also faced the San Antonio Spurs.