The Knicks are headed to the White House.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan said Wednesday that the team has accepted an invitation from President Donald Trump, setting up what would be the first White House visit by an NBA champion during Trump’s second administration.
Dolan revealed the decision during an appearance on WFAN New York after previously inviting Trump to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
“As a matter of fact, thank you for asking me that, we just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said during the appearance. “We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course. Look, I invited the president to come down for the game. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
The move could spark mixed reactions among some players, several of whom have publicly expressed political views that differ from Trump’s.
Forward Josh Hart posted on social media following Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election and used a derogatory term to describe Trump.
The Knicks’ decision breaks with a trend seen during Trump’s first term, when a string of NBA champions skipped traditional White House visits.
The Golden State Warriors touched off the controversy in 2017 after star Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr indicated they had little interest in attending. Trump later publicly withdrew the invitation.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump wrote in September 2017. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
The dispute escalated when LeBron James fired back on social media, calling Trump a “bum” and writing that “going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
Golden State also passed on a visit after winning again in 2018, while the Toronto Raptors opted against appearances at either the White House or Canada’s Parliament Hill following their 2019 championship, citing scheduling issues.
The Los Angeles Lakers chose not to make the trip after capturing the 2020 title, though the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the possibility of any White House celebration.
Under President Joe Biden, the Milwaukee Bucks, Warriors, and Boston Celtics all made championship visits to Washington.
The Denver Nuggets planned a White House trip after winning the 2023 NBA title, but scheduling conflicts forced a postponement. A rescheduled date landed on the eve of a crucial playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading the team to ultimately skip the event.
The Knicks’ acceptance marks a sharp reversal from the stance many NBA champions took during Trump’s first term and ensures the league’s newest title winners will revive a tradition that had become politically charged.
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