Why NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani invited Victor Wembanyama to a government hearing before Knicks Game 4

Zohran Mamdani recently posted a message on X inviting Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to attend a city government hearing scheduled for June 10.

Published on: Jun 9, 2026, 05:45:02 IST

Edited by HT US Desk

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As the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs continue, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has found a way to support his favorite team.

Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, during a news conference on 2026 FIFA World Cup transportation at the MTA Rail Control Center in New York, US. (Bloomberg)

Mamdani recently posted a message on X inviting Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to attend a city government hearing scheduled for June 10. The invitation quickly caught attention because the hearing overlaps with Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

What did Mamdani say?

In his post, Mamdani wrote, "I'm pleased to invite @Wemby to our second Commission on Government Efficiency hearing on Wednesday, June 10th 5-8 pm, where we'll be asking the public for their thoughts on how government can run better."

He then added, “Would love to have you there for the whole time!”

The timing of the invitation is what made the post stand out. The hearing is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., while Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set to begin later that evening.

Why the invitation drew attention

Mamdani's message was widely viewed as a playful attempt to keep one of the NBA's biggest stars occupied before a crucial Finals matchup.

There was no expectation that Wembanyama would attend the hearing. The post just added another entertaining chapter to the growing rivalry between New York and San Antonio.

Wembanyama's interests make him an easy target for the joke. The joke also played on Wembanyama's reputation as one of the NBA's talented players. The Spurs star is known for his reading and has often spoken publicly about interests outside basketball.

That background likely made him the perfect subject for Mamdani's tweet, even though the French superstar is expected to be focused on preparing for the biggest games of the season.

Also Read: 'Get lost!' Hakeem Jeffries tells Trump to stay away from Knicks vs Spurs Game 3

Knicks fever continues across New York

Mamdani has been one of the most visible public supporters of the Knicks during their playoff run. The mayor has regularly posted about the team on social media and has embraced the excitement surrounding New York's return to the NBA Finals.

The mayor's playful message to Wembanyama added another moment of humor to the highly anticipated championship match.

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HT US Desk
The Hindustan Times US Desk brings you the latest news and developments from across the United States. The team covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports, business, entertainment and stories that are trending across the country. Our coverage includes the White House, Congress, US elections, immigration and visa updates, H-1B, green cards, Social Security, education, jobs, layoffs, the economy, technology and major policy changes. We also closely follow stories that matter to Indian and South Asian communities in the US. The desk covers major US sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, along with player news, injuries, schedules, results and major events. Entertainment coverage includes Hollywood, celebrities, television, streaming, music and pop culture. We also report on breaking developments, major incidents, weather, public safety, court cases and other stories making headlines across the country. When a major policy or news development affects people's everyday lives, the team works to explain what happened, what it means and what readers need to know. Alongside breaking news, the US Desk produces explainers and practical stories on topics such as immigration, Social Security, taxes, education, employment and government programmes. The team also works on science, tech, business and AI stories analyzing the impact they may have on people. The team follows developments throughout the day, keeping an eye on official announcements, public records, reliable news sources and what people are talking about across the US.Read More

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