Trump booed in New York as he becomes first US president to attend NBA Finals

Trump booed in New York as he becomes first US president to attend NBA Finals 7 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Sakshi Venkatram in New York City Watch: Tightened security in New York ahead of Trump appearance at NBA Finals game Donald Trump has been booed at a basketball match in New York as he became the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals. The catcalls came after frustrated ticketholders waited for hours in lines that stretched more than two blocks outside Madison Square Garden on Monday due to the intense security restrictions that came with the president's appearance. Trump was there to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the best-of-seven NBA finals. The Knicks won the first two games. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and a parade of celebrities also attended the game. 'Traitor' - Elmo in hot water with New Yorkers over Knicks NBA finals Booing broke out on Monday evening when a camera showed Trump on large screens in the arena, saluting as a singer performed the national anthem. The president attended with his granddaughter Kai Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan, along with members of his administration that included Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The Republican president, who was born in the New York City borough of Queens, has had a difficult relationship with his heavily Democratic hometown. AFP via Getty Images The US president was shown on the jumbotron in the centre of the arena before the game Celebrities including Timothee Chalamet, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Larry David, Spike Lee, Derek Jeter and Eli Manning filled courtside seats. Trump, who had been at his New Jersey golf club earlier in the day, flew to downtown Manhattan by taking the Marine One helicopter. He then travelled by motorcade to the venue. Trump's arrival meant the streets around Madison Square Garden were shut down to foot and vehicle traffic. Thousands of New York Police Department officers and hundreds of Secret Service officers were deployed. Metal barriers were put up at each block as sports fans faced an airport-style gauntlet of security. For bars in the area showing the finals game, this would normally be a lucrative night. But the barriers stopped foot traffic and left many pubs empty. Disgruntled Knicks fans as well as regular commuters struggled to navigate the celebrations. One New Yorker told the BBC the high security was "killing the vibe of the Knicks". This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks, appearing in their first Finals since 1999 after decades as one of the worst teams in the league. Manhattan was crowded with fans of the Knicks decked out in orange and blue, many watching the game in the streets and at watch parties. The streets around popular Bryant Park were filled as fans gathered at a community watch party after one outside Madiso