Jalen Brunson draws the line between ball and politics as Donald Trump attending Finals Game 3

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For the first time in 27 years, NBA Finals basketball is back at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks hold a 2-0 series lead and there’s talk of President Biden attending. Still, Jalen Brunson wanted to keep things grounded.

“It’s been a long time since this building has seen a game like this,” he said before Game 3. “But inside that locker room, we’re just focused on what still needs to be done.” Brunson also shared how much it means to him to represent the city, saying, “Wearing ‘New York’ on my chest is something I never take for granted.”

With a 2-0 lead heading into back-to-back games at home, most teams might start to feel comfortable. But Brunson wasn’t having any of it, making sure his teammates stayed locked in by reminding them it’s “0-0 again.”

The numbers favour the Knicks—teams with a 2-0 lead in the Finals have gone on to win 32 out of 37 times. But the one that didn’t, the 2016 Warriors, serves as a reminder of how quickly things can turn.

Brunson not buying into hype around Knicks-Celtics Game 3

Game 3 at Madison Square Garden isn’t short on buzz. The Knicks are two wins away from a title, and the crowd won’t just be packed with celebrities. Even President Joe Biden is expected to be in attendance, making it the first time a sitting president has watched an NBA Finals game at MSG.

Karl-Anthony Towns responded to a question about the president’s visit by focusing on what makes New York special, while the celebrity presence is sure to be heavy as usual. But for Brunson, none of that matters—he’s focused solely on keeping his team locked in and ready to play.

New York has shown they can win in a variety of ways, including grinding out tight games and handling opponents comfortably. Even when Brunson struggled to shoot in Game 2, the Knicks found a way through.

Their focus hasn’t shifted, even with the energy that comes from a Finals homecoming. The crowd at Madison Square Garden will be loud, but Brunson wants his team to stay locked in as if the series is still level.