Avery Wilson delivers powerful rendition of National Anthem, as MSG crowd angrily booed Donald Trump in attendance | Game 3, 2026 NBA Finals [VIDEO]
The crowd erupted when Trump appeared on the jumbotron, with boos lasting more than 10 seconds
President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game last night (June 8). He watched Game 3 of the 2026 Knicks vs. Spurs series from a private suite at Madison Square Garden. As Avery Wilson performed a powerful rendition of the National Anthem, broadcast cameras cut to Trump saluting, triggering a loud wave of boos from significant portions of the crowd that lasted more than 10 seconds.
The boos were directed specifically at Trump and subsided when cameras shifted to the U.S. flag and Knicks players, who received cheers. Chants of “U-S-A!” had rung out earlier during Wilson’s performance. Trump maintained a smile throughout and later called the reaction “amazing.” The Knicks lost Game 3 by a score of 115-111, but still lead the series 2-1.
Avery Wilson Becomes the Knicks’ Anthem Regular
Avery Wilson is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He was born on July 18, 1995, in Hamden, Connecticut. Wilson first appeared on NBC’s The Voice during Season 3 at age 16. He returned for Season 8. Wilson starred as the Scarecrow in the 2024 Broadway revival of The Wiz. His work on the cast recording earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
During the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Wilson performed the National Anthem before nearly every Knicks home game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks went 6-0 in those games. Their only home playoff loss occurred in a game Wilson missed due to a scheduling conflict. MSG Sports COO Jamaal Lesane noted the strong audience response after Wilson’s first performance. The team invited him back repeatedly.
Wilson brought energy to the arena each night. Fans responded with cheers during and after his renditions. His consistent presence aligned with the Knicks’ strong home playoff run. Wilson continued this role into the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
Wilson’s Path From Reality TV to Broadway Stages
Wilson released his debut album On Top of the World independently in 2012. He followed with EPs FYI in 2018 and 8:34 in 2019. Singles such as “If I Have To” reached the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. Wilson collaborated with producers including Claude Kelly and James Fauntleroy.
His Broadway debut came in the 2024 revival of The Wiz. Wilson portrayed the Scarecrow. The production featured an all-Black cast and received positive attention. Wilson performed across multiple cities during the run. He balanced theater commitments with music releases and live appearances.
Wilson’s vocal style draws from soul, R&B, and gospel influences. He built a fan base through television, theater, and independent music. Now, Wilson has established himself as a versatile performer. The Knicks playoff games have provided another high-profile platform. His anthem performances fit his ongoing career trajectory.
Record Shows Knicks Success With Wilson Singing
The Knicks maintained a perfect 6-0 record in 2026 playoff home games when Avery Wilson sang the National Anthem. This streak covered the first three rounds of the NBA Playoffs. It included matchups against the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The pattern held as the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals.
Wilson missed one home game due to a prior commitment, Game 2 vs. the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks lost that contest. His return aligned with resumed home wins, reaching 5 straight home playoff wins prior to last night. MSG became familiar with his introductions. Announcers highlighted him as a recurring performer during the Finals.
The 2026 playoff run marked a historic season for the Knicks. They reached the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Wilson performed before Game 3 on June 8 at Madison Square Garden. The team entered the game with strong home momentum. Wilson took the stage as usual before tip-off.
Crowd Reacts During Anthem at Game 3
President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals last night at Madison Square Garden. He sat in a private suite hosted by Knicks owner James Dolan. Trump was joined by his granddaughter Kai Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff. This marked the first time a sitting U.S. president attended an NBA Finals game.
Avery Wilson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Broadcast cameras showed Trump saluting during the song. A loud wave of boos came from portions of the crowd. The boos lasted more than 10 seconds. They occasionally rose in volume during the anthem.
Chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” occurred earlier in the performance. The reaction changed when cameras shifted to the U.S. flag and Knicks players. Fans cheered at those images. The boos targeted Trump’s appearance on the jumbotron.
Anthem Moment Draws Attention at MSG
Avery Wilson completed his rendition of the National Anthem. The Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3. Trump remained in the suite and watched the contest. The game ended with a 115-111 Spurs victory. This result snapped the Knicks’ 13-game playoff winning streak. New York still led the series 2-1.
Video clips of the anthem moment spread quickly online. Coverage focused on the sequence of Wilson’s performance and the crowd audio. Wilson had sung at nearly every prior home playoff game. His Game 3 appearance followed the established pattern. The Knicks organization continued its playoff hosting duties at Madison Square Garden.
Broadcast decisions placed Trump on screen during the song. The arena maintained standard pre-game procedures. Wilson delivered the anthem as he had in previous games. The event drew national attention to both the performance and the attendance.
Game 3’s Immediate Aftermath
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Jalen Brunson scored 32 points for the Knicks. The loss ended New York’s 13-game home playoff winning streak. The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Madison Square Garden.
President Donald Trump remained in the suite throughout the game. He spoke with reporters afterward. Trump described the crowd reaction as loud and enthusiastic. Clips of Avery Wilson’s National Anthem performance and the jumbotron moment spread rapidly across social media platforms. Videos from the ABC broadcast gained hundreds of thousands of views within hours.
Discussions appeared on X, Reddit, and news sites. Users shared footage of the sequence, including earlier U-S-A chants and subsequent cheers for Knicks players. The event drew comments from sports analysts and political observers. Coverage emphasized the intersection of the NBA Finals, Wilson’s rendition, and Trump’s attendance as the first sitting president at such a game.