Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where he was booed during the National Anthem, and the New York Knicks lost for the first time in more than a month. He will not attend Game 4, according to multiple reports. Instead, Taylor Swift is expected to be at Madison Square Garden tonight.
Swift’s appearance comes as the Knicks continue their playoff run and as the team draws major celebrity attention. This will not be her first NBA playoff game this year. She and her fiancé, Travis Kelce, previously sat courtside at one of the Knicks’ road games during their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. During that visit, Kelce, a Cleveland native and lifelong Cavaliers fan, drew cheers from the home crowd when he stood up and chugged a beer.
There is a key difference this time: Swift is expected to support the Knicks more openly. New York is her adopted hometown, and she is said to be attending the game with friends. Kelce, however, is not expected to join her in the arena.
Kelce recently discussed his love of basketball and his relationship with Swift on his podcast, saying he was not trying to convert her into a Cleveland sports fan. He said their earlier basketball outing was a casual date night and that he enjoys introducing Swift to the sports world he loves. He also said returning to Cleveland with her and showing her his roots is something he values.
The article notes that players may prefer Swift’s presence over Trump’s because a presidential visit can create added security and logistical complications for teams and arenas. Extra screening, earlier bus schedules, and restricted access can disrupt preparations for players and staff. One player quoted in the story said that while such visits are understandable, they are inconvenient for those trying to play.
Swift’s arrival is expected to generate excitement at Madison Square Garden, but unlike a presidential appearance, it is not expected to require the same level of security shutdowns or citywide disruption. For the Knicks, the celebrity spotlight continues as they play in front of one of the most high-profile figures in music, while Trump’s absence may avoid some of the complications that came with his previous appearance.
