President Donald Trump is expected to welcome the NBA champion New York Knicks to the White House, marking the first visit by an NBA championship team during either of Trump’s presidential terms.
The visit comes after the Knicks captured their first NBA championship in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games to secure the franchise’s first title since 1973. The championship sparked massive celebrations across New York City, including a ticker-tape parade through Manhattan’s famed Canyon of Heroes.
According to multiple reports, Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed that the organization has accepted the White House invitation and is currently working with administration officials to finalize details of the visit.
Dolan, who has known Trump for roughly three decades, said the team intends to participate in the longstanding tradition of championship teams being honored by the president.
The White House appearance would make the Knicks the first NBA champions to visit Trump during his presidency. No NBA championship team made a White House visit during Trump’s first term, and the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder declined a visit this year, citing scheduling conflicts.
Trump developed a visible connection to the Knicks’ championship run during the NBA Finals. Earlier this month, he attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. His appearance generated national attention and underscored the historic significance of the series for New York basketball.
After the Knicks clinched the championship, Trump praised the team in a congratulatory message, calling their playoff run “maybe the greatest of all time.” He singled out Finals MVP Jalen Brunson while also recognizing Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and center Mitchell Robinson for their contributions to the title-winning season.
The planned visit also puts the spotlight back on a White House tradition that has become increasingly politicized in recent years. Several championship teams across professional sports have declined invitations or skipped visits for scheduling and political reasons. Still, the Knicks appear prepared to continue the tradition following one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.
