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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said Sunday that he will attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden alongside Donald Trump as the New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs.
Blakeman, a Republican candidate for governor of New York, confirmed he would join the president after a planned meeting with him before the game.
“We’ll be talking about a lot of things, but number one, we’ll be talking about Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, Josh Hart,” Blakeman said Sunday at the Belmont Stakes, referencing several Knicks players.
The game marks the Knicks’ first NBA Finals home appearance in 27 years and has generated broad excitement across New York political and cultural circles.
New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani also plans to attend the game, according to reports, though he is not expected to sit with President Trump. Mamdani previously attended an Eastern Conference Finals game alongside Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
President Trump will attend as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan. If he attends, he will become the first sitting U.S. president to appear at an NBA Finals game. Security around Madison Square Garden is expected to be extensive because of the presidential visit.
President Trump has long been associated with Knicks games dating back to his years as a New York real estate developer and media figure. He frequently attended games courtside alongside celebrities, including Elliott Gould.
Blakeman has increasingly highlighted his alliance with President Trump as he campaigns against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
“The highest taxes in the country. Utility rates 70% above the national average. Crime is surging under the most pro-criminal governor in America. New Yorkers are drowning, and Kathy Hochul doesn’t care,” Blakeman stated in a campaign post to X.
“As governor, I will cut your utility rates in half, slash your taxes, and create more jobs with higher wages. More money in your pocket. More freedom in your life. That’s the New York I’m fighting for,” he added.