Knicks accept – New York Knicks owner James Dolan said the team accepted an invitation from the White House, bringing an NBA champion to Washington for the first time during President Donald J. Trump’s administration. The visit is expected Wednesday, June 17, as Knicks fans c
When Knicks fans spilled into the streets after the team won its first NBA championship since 1973. the celebration didn’t stay confined to New York. On Wednesday, June 17, the franchise is expected to do something it hasn’t done under President Donald J. Trump: bring an NBA champion to the White House.
Dolan, the Knicks’ owner, said the invitation had arrived after his earlier effort to get the president to Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He said the team would accept an invite from Trump “on Wednesday, June 17,” speaking during an appearance on WFAN New York.
“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. “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 invitation lands with a specific kind of timing. Dolan has been a long-time supporter and donor of Trump. and their most recent shared moment came at the arena—where the stakes were still live. Dolan sat alongside the president in Dolan’s suite on June 8 during New York’s 115-111 loss against the Spurs in Game 3. the team’s only defeat during the series.
Trump, for his part, spoke about Dolan before the finals swung fully New York’s way. On June 4. Trump said. “Well. I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time. and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan. ” adding. “He’s a nice guy. OK?. He spent a long time wanting to win, and he’s a competitive guy. He’s got a team that’s amazing.”.
Taken together. the timeline reads like a bridge from friendship to celebration: Dolan’s effort to bring Trump to Game 3. the two men sharing a suite during New York’s only series loss. and then. after the Knicks’ first championship in more than 50 years. a White House invite that Dolan says has already been accepted. The visit is set to occur during the administration of Trump. marking a first for an NBA champion under his presidency.
For Knicks fans, the move turns the championship moment into a national one—another stop after the title-party energy, with the franchise preparing to step into Washington on Wednesday, June 17.
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