While President Trump watched on from behind bulletproof glass in a swanky VIP suite, New York mayor Zohran Mamdani was spotted at the NBA Finals shaking hands and posing for selfies with Knicks fans. 

The two politicians enjoyed polar opposite experiences at the Game 3 showdown between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs - but neither of them occupied a $50,000 courtside seat at the world's most famous arena.

While security concerns ensured Trump had to be in an elevated VIP suite with Secret Service watching closely, Mamdani instead enjoyed a decidedly more common approach - joining some pals in the 'standing room only' section of MSG.

At halftime, the Daily Mail spotted the mayor mingling with the New York public, grinning as he posed for photos and shook hands with other fans.

Mamdani appeared to have time for everyone as he chatted to those around him, before making his way back to his vantage point for the third quarter of the game. 

Earlier on Monday, Mamdani had told reporters in Central Park that he had paid for his own ticket to the game, shelling out just shy of $1,000 for his spot.

Not every New Yorker was convinced, though, with some wondering whether some sort of mayoral discount had been applied. 

'I bought my tickets for nearly $1,000 from Madison Square Garden,' he said. 'I'll be going to tonight's Game 3, and I'll be standing for the duration of the game.'

He insisted that he purchased his ticket 'directly from the organization itself', but on Monday afternoon tickets in the same section were being sold on resale sites for as much as $4,900.

That said, Mamdani is a regular in the nosebleeds at MSG, and has previously been spotted at Knicks games in a similar section.

Trump, meanwhile, garnered far more attention in his suite - particularly when he was shown on the jumbotron during the national anthem.

In a brutal moment broadcast live to the world, the president was loudly booed as he stood alongside his granddaughter Kai and Knicks owner James Dolan during the Star-Spangled Banner. 

The president appeared to take the negative reaction in his stride, raising a wry smile to the crowd as he saluted and then raised a fist to the anthem, which was being sung by Grammy Award-nominated artist Avery Wilson.

His granddaughter Kai, standing alongside him, also appeared to smirk at the boos as the pair watched on from behind the protective screens.