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The mayor had previously watched the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 21 and was seated high up in the cheaper seats along with city public advocate Jumaane Williams.

Their attendance was unannounced before the game.

\"PHOTO:
Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images
PHOTO: New York Knicks fans cheer during the watch party at Madison Square Garden for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, on June 5, 2026, in New York.
>

Mamdani indicated that once again he would not be in the best seats in the Garden for Monday's matchup.

\"I can tell you that I won’t be courtside or in a suite, but I can’t wait to see the game,\" he told the radio station.

Mamdani has been vocally critical of the Trump administration's policy on immigration, government cuts and threats to cut funding to Democratic run states and cities.

During the election, Trump vocally decried Mamdani, calling him a \"communist\" and warning that New York would be in a worse place under his leadership.

The president's tone changed on Nov. 21, when Mamdani met with Trump in the Oval Office and they emerged with a much more amicable relationship.

\"I think this mayor could do some things that are going to be really great,” Trump said in a news conference after the meeting, where he smiled, shook Mamdani's hand and even patted him on the back.

\"PHOTO:
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: In this Nov. 21, 2025, file photo, President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, D.C.
>

The mayor and president met another time in the winter and Mamdani has said he has spoken to Trump on the phone numerous times about matters to the city.

Mamdani has maintained his opposition to many of the president's policies but has maintained he is open to working with him to help New Yorkers, especially when it comes to driving down housing costs.

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