NBA Insider Shams Charania Stopped By U.S. Secret Service

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was stopped and questioned by U.S. Secret Service outside of Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

The New York Knicks hosted the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening. The Knicks came into Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals leading the series, 2-0. However, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs got the best of Jalen Brunson and Co., winning Game 3 and making this a real series.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump and his granddaughter, Kai Trump, were among those in attendance on Monday night. As a result, there was a significant security presence at Madison Square Garden and throughout New York City. Dozens of U.S. Secret Service officers were present.

Charania ended up getting stopped outside of Madison Square Garden.

Charania opened up about the experience on ESPN.

"I was actually stopped by Secret Service, just right over there, because my AirPod fell. Secret Service came up to me and said, hey, Secret Service, you're going to have to get out of the intersection," he said.

"We're still on the hunt (for the AirPod case)."

President Trump responds to Knicks' Game 3 loss

President Trump clapped back at ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who had blamed him for New York's Game 3 loss.

"I think he's a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president," Trump said to a press pool outside of his ride home. "You need a high IQ. I'm not sure that Stephen has that. I don't think he does, actually."

Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden. The Spurs will be looking to even up the series at 2-2, before it heads back to San Antonio.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM.