New York Knicks player Jose Alvarado nearly knocked out former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The Knicks point guard, 28, collided with the politician, 84, in a scary moment during the fourth quarter of the all-important game at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday, June 8.
Alvarado was charging after a ball when he went flying into the first row, seemingly toppling over Bloomberg from his courtside seat. Several nearby fans immediately reached over to check on Bloomberg, including NFL legend Eli Manning and New York Yankees favorite Derek Jeter.
As Alvarado emerged from the entanglement, he was patting Bloomberg’s knee and asking if he was alright. The former mayor seemed shaken but nodded “yes” to Alvarado as action on the court resumed play.
“As Alvarado dives into the stands, he checks with former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg,” play-by-play announcer Mike Breen explained to ABC viewers.
Analyst Richard Jefferson then joked, “You never know who you’ll run into at a Knick game!”
The collision may have been an omen for a difficult quarter ahead for the Knicks, as they went on to lose 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs. (The Knicks still lead the 2026 NBA finals 2-1 going into Thursday’s Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.)
Monday’s game was eventful as Cardi B performed her hits “Bodega Baddie” and “Bodak Yellow” during a special halftime show at the world’s most famous arena.
President Donald Trump also attended Game 3 along with his granddaughter, Kai Trump. The New York City crowd gave Trump a less-than-friendly welcome as he was showered with boos when shown on the jumbotron before Monday’s game.
Prior to Game 3, conservative activist Ann Coulter railed against Trump attending the game because of how it would impact businesses around Madison Square Garden.
“Of all the selfish, narcissistic things Trump has done, attending MSG to see the Knicks play in person Monday night is the absolute worst,” Coulter, 64, wrote via X on Sunday, June 7. “20,000 attendees will be MASSIVELY inconvenienced for all the extra security, the Knicks Watch Party at Garden Is canceled, thousands of extra law enforcement officers will be required (paid for by taxpayers), traffic will be a disaster — all so he can sit in the Garden rather than watch the game on TV.”
Trump reportedly left his luxury box with around seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. He had been sitting with Knicks owner James Dolan after receiving a personal invite to attend the NBA Finals game.
Other notable public figures in attendance for Game 3 included Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet, Jay-Z, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay, Larry David and current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
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