Kathy Hochul Tries To Own Trump On Sports Fandom, Faceplants

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul tried to dunk on President Donald Trump but threw up an airball instead.

After Trump described himself as “a lifelong Knicks fan,” Hochul said he should prove it by naming the starting lineup from the Knicks’ “1993 championship team,” a team that never existed.

The Knicks neither won nor appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals, which featured Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls against the Phoenix Suns. The Knicks’ last NBA championship came in 1973, while the franchise’s most recent Finals appearance was in 1999 — until this year.

🚨 OMG. NY Gov. Kathy Kochul is being viciously mocked nationwide for pretending Donald Trump isn’t a real Knicks fan, then making a FOOL of herself

“I’d ask him to name the starting lineup from 1993 championship team, see how HE does!”

Jordan’s Bulls won in 1993, not the… pic.twitter.com/AH6QbTnToH

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 27, 2026

The exchange generated mockery online, with critics accusing Hochul of inventing a Knicks championship run that never happened.

It began after Trump said he planned to attend the NBA Finals after being invited by “multiple people,” including Knicks owner Jim Dolan.

If Trump attends, he would become the first sitting United States president to attend an NBA Finals game. 

The exchange marks the latest clash between Trump and Hochul.

At a rally supporting Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) last week, Trump sent a warning to Hochul. 

“No Republican wins in Nassau,” said Trump, highlighting a big win for Republicans in Nassau County, “And he ran, and he won. You better watch yourself, Kathy. You’ve got a race. You’ve got a big race.” 

Hochul responded by posting, “Game on.”

“I won’t be intimidated by Trump — or any spineless MAGA coward like my opponent Bruce Blakeman,” she added. “While they’re busy screwing over New Yorkers, I’m fighting like hell to lower costs and protect New Yorkers from his attacks.”

Despite declining approval numbers, Hochul has maintained an early edge over Blakeman in recent polling. A May survey found that 41% of voters viewed her favorably, while 46% held an unfavorable view.