Donald Trump is not planning to attend Game 4 of the NBA Finals in New York on Wednesday night, according to reports.
The president received a hostile reception after heading to Madison Square Garden to watch his beloved Knicks lose Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, which cut their lead in the series to 2-1.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Trump – who denied being jeered during a rendition of the US national anthem – is not expected to return for Game 4 due to scheduling conflicts and obligations.
His decision to attend Monday’s game brought the area surrounding the Garden to a standstill, with the New York Police Department and Secret Service establishing a multiblock security perimeter around the arena and, controversially, canceling the hugely popular watch parties outside of the venue.
The crowd erupted when Trump was shown on the jumbotron prior to tip-off, with the White House pool report noting that he was ‘thunderously booed’ by those in attendance.
However, after the game he claimed to have heard ‘mostly cheers’ from fans during the performance of the national anthem.
Donald Trump is not planning to attend Game 4 of the NBA Finals in New York on Wednesday
‘You mean when they had the camera on me?’ he responded when asked about the loud reception on the tarmac of John F Kennedy airport.
‘I thought it was very good, yeah. It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers.’
He added: ‘It was loud and it was very enthusiastic.’
Trump, a lifelong Knicks fan, called the game ‘fantastic’ despite his boyhood team’s defeat.
The Spurs spoiled New York’s party plans on the night after winning 115-111 to leave the series poised at 2-1 ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday night. If the Knicks had won, another victory on Wednesday would have secured them the title.
Trump was seen taking in Game 3 with James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden – who invited him along to the big game.
And a lip reader has revealed that the Commander-in-Chief was considering returning to New York to present the Knicks with the NBA championship trophy if they clinched victory this week.
Forensic lip-reading expert NJ Hickling reviewed footage of Trump talking to Dolan and concluded that they began by discussing an unknown person whom the latter seemingly has an issue with.
The president was given a brutal welcome by Knicks fans ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Trump gave a fist to the crowd after the ‘thunderous’ boos from the fervent home supporters
He was also seen sitting and speaking with Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan
Trump’s beloved Knicks suffered a 115-111 defeat on the night against the San Antonio Spurs
Trump then suggested he could smooth things over if he returned for Game 4. ‘Why wouldn’t you accept our friendship, he’s loyal,’ he told Dolan, who responded: ‘I’m pi***d off at his name.’
The president, waving his hand in disagreement, replied: ‘Oh, that’s not it. Let me bring him next time, you have got it so wrong with him.
‘I can bring him back to you, with confidence. I’m not just saying that, unless you want to put the feeler out.’
Dolan told Trump ‘anything for you’ before the President then turned his attention to a potential return later in the week.
‘If you want me to come to the game on Wednesday, then he’s gotta be here,’ Trump said, with his granddaughter Kai sitting on the other side of Dolan and glancing at the two in discussion.
‘You gotta remember, I gotta pull with this. Maybe I could do the trophy, the trophy. This should be gold, don’t say no today. I’ll bet you a round of golf.’
With the Spurs beating the Knicks, though, it means that the series will go to a fifth game – at least – which will be held in San Antonio on Saturday night.
