New York City is often said to be the center of the universe, and last night, at least in the sporting world, it was. Madison Square Garden hosted Game 3 of the NBA Finals, its first finals game in 27 years. President Donald Trump attended the game, as well as every celebrity in the tristate area, it seemed, and any fan who could afford a five-figure ticket.<\/p>\n
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NBC News had correspondents inside and outside the building to capture the scene. Read more about it below and, as always, on the NBC News website<\/a>. <\/p>\n NBA Finals<\/p>\n Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals was literally unlike any other in league history.<\/p>\n In addition to the New York Knicks playing in the championship round for the first time this century, Trump attended last night\u2019s game, becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals matchup. (Fans booed him mercilessly when he was shown on the video screen during the national anthem.)<\/p>\n The combination of immense anticipation plus Trump\u2019s presence created a unique atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. Fans who paid thousands of dollars for tickets waited in lines that stretched New York City streets to accommodate the security presence that Trump requires.<\/p>\n Players themselves were required to undergo extra security measures when arriving at the arena, but the Knicks \u2014 who lost for the first time in 46 days \u2014 say the added pomp and circumstance played no role in their performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is what it is. This is the NBA Finals,\u201d New York head coach Mike Brown said about the heightened atmosphere. \u201cThere\u2019s going to be a lot of distractions, and you\u2019ve just got to, as best you can, block them out and go play the game.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, in regard to the fans: \u201cThe energy around the city, the energy around the building, it\u2019s off the charts. You love it.\u201d<\/p>\n NBC News spoke with fans heading into Game 3<\/a>, and all said they spent between $1,350 and $20,000 for seats.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been a Knicks fan ever since I moved to the U.S. when I was 9 years old,\u201d said business owner Cara Swaby, who had seats near the courtside that cost $20,000. \u201cI used to watch Patrick Ewing and John Starks.\u201d<\/p>\n On the San Antonio Spurs\u2019 side, they didn\u2019t find the noise or the environment daunting<\/a>. In fact, how did San Antonio\u2019s Victor Wembanyama prepare for the game? He went to a New York City park, sat on a bench and drew a sketch of a statue standing in front of him.<\/p>\n Then he came out and had his best game of the series: 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks \u2014 in a Spurs win.<\/p>\n World Cup Countdown<\/p>\n Leading up to the 2026 World Cup, we\u2019re counting down 26 players to watch. Today\u2019s entry is Canada\u2019s Alphonso Davies.<\/p>\n Canada is more known for hockey than soccer, but don\u2019t get it twisted \u2014 this is a legitimate World Cup squad that could surprise this summer. Alphonso Davies, one of the best defensive players in the world, is a major reason why. The 25-year-old began his career with the MLS\u2019 Vancouver Whitecaps, where he was the first player born in the 2000s to play in a game.<\/p>\n In 2019, he made the move to the Bundesliga\u2019s Bayern Munich for a then-record MLS transfer fee and helped deliver a Champions League title just one year later. He\u2019s been a star for the perennial European powers ever since. <\/p>\n Davies will be integral at left back for Canada \u2026 if he can get on the field. A hamstring injury suffered against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal on May 6 will keep him out \u201cseveral weeks,\u201d according to the team. The setback is on top of an ACL tear he sustained in 2025 that forced him to miss most of this past season. Will that lack of recent game experience plague him in the World Cup?<\/p>\n Canada needs Davies to be physically fit to have a chance at advancing deep in the tournament. If he misses any time, they\u2019ll turn to forward Jonathan David and midfielder Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 to step up and lead the team on the world stage.<\/p>\n Yesterday\u2019s entry was Turkey\u2019s Kenan Yildiz. Read about him here<\/a>.<\/p>\n What We\u2019re Reading<\/p>\n Our own Amina Kilpatrick spoke to fans outside Madison Square Garden and at the watch party in Bryant Park to see how New Yorkers celebrated<\/a> the Knicks\u2019 first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years.<\/p>\n Also, our Rohan Nadkarni reported from the Knicks\u2019 locker room, where players said the Game 3 circus wasn\u2019t the reason<\/a> for their first loss in more than a month.<\/p>\n Finally, our Tim Rohan reported from the Spurs\u2019 side, after San Antonio looked calm and collected<\/a> in a very hostile MSG environment.<\/p>\n NBC Sports ranked the World Cup groups<\/a>. Who\u2019s in the toughest group? Who got the easiest draw?<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/260609-knicks-fans-msg-mn-1330-1b93a2.jpg\")
A full house at Madison Square Garden during game three of the NBA Finals.Al Bello \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Alphonso](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/260609-canada-alphonso-davies-mn-1330-599771.jpg\")
Alphonso Davies of Canada controls the ball during a match against Mexico on March 20.Michael Owens \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n