Trump receives torrent of boos at NBA game

Fans greet US President Donald Trump with boos at Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

This after the US Senate Minority Leader earlier accuses Trump of stealing the spotlight from the basketball players.

Hightened security causes delay for those heading into the game, while the city axes a watch party originally planned outside the stadium.

Tightened security measures ahead of US President Donald Trump's arrival at Madison Square Garden on Monday for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs prompted many to line up before 5pm Monday.

Ticket holders, some of whom are paying as much as 5,000 US dollars for the cheapest upper-deck seats, rope around the stadium as they're being processed through security.

Secret Service and police close streets around Madison Square Garden, blocking access to the immediate vicinity for non-ticket holders.

Some are left angry and disappointed when the city decided to cancel the watch party outside the stadium.

It's where fans have been gathering throughout Knicks' run this season.

Some of that frustration was carried into the arena. Instead of a warm welcome, the court erupts in a rumbling of boos as the jumbotron hones in on Trump during the national anthem.

The president was later spotted with Knicks owner James Dolan in his suite high above the court. His granddaughter Kai Trump was there with him.

Early Monday, Senate Minority Leader and New Yorker Chuck Schumer criticises Trump's decision to attend the game, and says the spotlight should be reserved for players instead.

Tonight ought to be all about the game, the players and the fans. But Donald Trump wants to make tonight all about himself like he always does.

Trump, a longtime New York Knicks fan, is the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.