NBA Finals: Trump expected at Madison Square Garden amid high tension before Game 3

Euphoria reigns in New York City, but behind the scenes at Madison Square Garden, the atmosphere is unusually heavy. For the first time in NBA history, a sitting president, Donald Trump, will attend a Finals game tonight. Invited by Knicks owner James Dolan, his presence has forced the Secret Service and the NYPD to implement drastic security measures, including complete street closures and a strict ban on bags in the arena.

Concerns escalated further after the attack that occurred Sunday night just below the arena floor: an individual suffering from mental health issues stabbed six people in the heart of Penn Station, prompting an immediate lockdown of the area. Amid the logistical chaos, political fervor erupted around the Garden, where Trump supporters gathered, some waving signs celebrating his recent endorsement of Abelardo de la Espriella, the far-right candidate nicknamed "El Tigre" in the Colombian presidential election.

Faced with this highly charged atmosphere, the New York players are striving to isolate themselves in a purely sporting bubble. When asked in interviews what NBA franchises had missed out on when he slipped to the second round of the draft, the Knicks' undisputed leader, Jalen Brunson, responded with a single, cutting word: "Everything."

It is with this same determination to win that the entire collective approaches this crucial meeting, refusing to be distracted by politics or security.

We asked fullback Landry Shamet how to maintain a sense of urgency despite the 2-0 lead.

"The secret is our 0-0 mentality; we can't be satisfied. Past matches don't matter. There are neither thirteen matches, nor is there just one match. It's one match at a time, and that's the only way to get out of this. So, we're focused on the third match, and it's 0-0 in our minds."

This ultra-focused approach is shared by point guard Jose Alvarado. The New Yorker of Puerto Rican-Mexican descent lucidly reminds everyone of the reality of the competition: "Because it's not a two-game series, it's a four-game series. We have to be the first to win four games, so we know how important it is. We're not looking beyond that, and we have to focus on Monday."

For him, this home run is the fulfillment of a greater purpose: “I’m a local kid. I grew up on the same streets as everyone here, these kids, these fans, and I was a fan growing up. God put me in a situation where I can say I’m doing something special, and this is the plan.”

At the heart of this adventure is also Mitchell Robinson, a true pillar of the franchise for the past eight years. "It's incredible to be back in NY," the center rejoiced. "Obviously, it's been a long time since this team has been in the Finals... We can't let ourselves get carried away by outside things, so we just have to stay focused, stay in the zone."

Bringing home a trophy after a 53-year wait has immense significance for him and his loved ones: "I've seen it all, I've been through the Knicks' tough years, and where we are now means a lot. The fans are going to do their thing. They're going to cheer us on, they support us, and we just want to give back."

Faced with this New York determination, French prodigy Victor Wembanyama also displayed complete serenity despite the pressure of the Garden and his team's deficit. Asked about the immense challenge of being down 0-2, "Wemby" brushed aside any doubts during his official press conference: "I think the key is often acceptance, taking a step back, realizing how far we've come and what lies ahead. Ultimately, it's everything I've ever wanted. There's really no reason to overthink it. I'm built for this."