Trump Comments on Controversial Wembanyama-Brunson Play, Backs Knicks in NBA Finals
President Trump told the New York Post that he thought referees made a "very bad call" by not flagging Victor Wembanyama for shoving Jalen Brunson in the head during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. Trump's comments reflect broader fan frustration over the uncalled play, which the NBA declined to retroactively upgrade to a flagrant foul.
President Trump shared his criticism of an officiating decision from Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, telling the New York Post that the no-call on Wembanyama's shove to Brunson's head was "a very bad call." Trump attended the game Monday night at Madison Square Garden in a box provided by Knicks owner James Dolan, making him the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. The Spurs won that game 115-111, and the Knicks currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Trump also praised both teams' players, including Brunson, Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and sent a note of encouragement to Dolan ahead of Game 4. The NBA had previously ruled that Wembanyama's contact did not warrant a flagrant foul designation.
What's missing
The article does not provide the NBA's official explanation or statement regarding why the contact was not called as a foul in real-time, or details about the league's criteria for retroactively upgrading plays to flagrant fouls.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
Trump tells The Post refs made ‘very bad call’ on Victor Wembanyama shove against Knicks star Jalen Brunson
- New York PostRight
Knicks owner James Dolan sides with The Post on NBA’s Victor Wembanyama foul fiasco
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