Trump booed at Knicks-Spurs game as he became first US president at NBA Finals (original) (raw)

Celebrities including Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Christine Taylor, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet filled courtside seats.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was there.

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 Madison Square Garden, where the game is happening, was cancelled due to Trump's appearance.

People ran up and down the streets near Bryant Park, celebrating and cheering every time the Knicks scored a point. As the game started, some fans could be seen climbing scaffolding attached to buildings. Others in the busy streets crowded around a laptop to watch the game.

One 44-year-old fan, who watched the game at Bryant Park, said he was 17 years old the last time the Knicks were in finals, when like this year, they played the San Antonio Spurs.

He said the disruption caused by Trump's visit was "very annoying".

But not everyone was angry at Trump.

Knicks fan Anthony Pulley, 43, told AFP news agency he found the disruption annoying, but he appreciated Trump coming to the game.

"I think it really put a damper on all the watch parties," he said. "But it's pretty cool he wants to show up and be a part of it."

From the Empire State Building to One World Trade Center, skyscrapers were lit up orange and blue - the Knicks' team colours.

On the last two game nights, throngs of supporters in Knicks gear took over streets near the arena - even though their team was playing at their opponents' arena in Texas - leading to dozens of arrests as fans climbed lampposts, jumped on to food carts, and blocked traffic.

Many fans weren't able to afford tickets to the first series home game, with the cheapest online resale tickets going for more than 10,000(£7,500)andgoinguptomorethan10,000 (£7,500) and going up to more than 10,000(£7,500)andgoinguptomorethan100,000.

Regular Knicks games already rank among the most expensive in the NBA.

"That's the way life goes," Trump said on Friday when asked about the extreme prices. "It's sort of semi-free to watch it on television."

Mayor Mamdani told reporters he paid nearly $1,000 for his ticket to the game.