Kathy Hochul’s ‘1993 Championship team’ jab at Trump backfires in Knicks NBA blunder
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul found herself in an awkward spot after trying to take a shot at President Donald Trump’s New York Knicks fandom as attention builds around the team’s push toward the NBA Finals.
Trump revealed on Wednesday, May 27, that he planned to head to New York to catch a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
Reporter: "What do you say to President Trump saying he's a lifelong Knicks fan?"
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 27, 2026
Hochul: “I’d ask him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 Championship team and see how he does."
The last time the Knicks won a championship was 1973.pic.twitter.com/9kDmA2Iziq
Kathy Hochul’s Knicks challenge to Trump quickly unraveled
When asked about Trump’s plans to attend a Knicks game, Hochul tried to challenge his fandom with a pointed remark.
“I’d ask him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 Championship team and see how he does,” Hochul said.
But the comment quickly ran into trouble. There was no New York Knicks championship team in 1993.
The Chicago Bulls won the NBA title that year during Michael Jordan’s era, while the Knicks’ last championship came in 1973.
That gap turned the remark into an immediate flashpoint, with critics saying the governor’s jab missed basic NBA history and instead created an awkward moment of its own.
Some observers noted she may have been loosely referencing the Knicks’ 1993-94 season run to the NBA Finals, where they fell short against the Houston Rockets, but the wording still sparked confusion.
Trump says he plans to attend NBA Finals games at Madison Square Garden
Trump confirmed during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, May 27, that he intended to attend one of the NBA Finals games if the Knicks advanced.
“I think I'll be going to one of the games,” Trump said while speaking with reporters. “I was invited by numerous people and Jim and I think I'll be going.”
He referred to Knicks owner James Dolan as excitement continues building around the franchise’s deep postseason run.
Trump also said he had initially planned to attend Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden before the Knicks closed out their series earlier than expected.
Trump’s potential NBA Finals appearance would mark historic first for sitting US president
The Knicks are scheduled to host potential Finals games in June at Madison Square Garden if the matchup proceeds as expected.
If Trump attends, he would become the first sitting U.S. president to appear at an NBA Finals game.
He has frequently attended major sporting events during his time in office, including the Super Bowl, college football championship game, Ryder Cup, Daytona 500, UFC events, and tennis finals in New York.
Earlier this month, he also appeared at PGA Tour and LIV Golf events held at courses he owns, continuing a visible presence across major sporting stages.
