The New York Knicks’ run in the 2026 NBA playoffs has been marked by Jalen Brunson 3-pointers, Karl-Anthony Towns assists and Josh Hart’s trademark hustle, and another consistent factor has been the celebrities in the stands. According to ESPN, New York boasts arguably the best celebrity row in the NBA and perhaps across American sports, with Spike Lee the headliner and regular appearances from Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet and Tracy Morgan.
Jay-Z sat courtside as the Knicks took a 2-0 lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, and two nights earlier Jimmy Fallon occupied a similar seat, according to ESPN. Each high-profile fan brings a different approach to rooting, and ahead of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday (8 p.m. ET on ESPN) the crowd was broken down with personality-driven superlatives.
Most likely to schedule their wedding around a Knicks game: Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet’s commitment to the team was evident when he skipped the Met Gala in both 2025 and 2026 to be present for Knicks games. While his girlfriend Kylie Jenner attended both galas, Chalamet rooted for the team on those days; he watched from home in 2025 and sat courtside at Madison Square Garden in 2026 before Jenner joined him.
The passionate AAU dad: the former Knicks. Ex-players such as Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Stephon Marbury and Latrell Sprewell frequently appear at games, with Bernard King often spotted in a clean suit. When not on the MSG Network broadcast, Clyde Frazier is in the crowd, and more recent alumni Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith also turn up with high energy. After Mitchell Robinson posterized 76ers star Joel Embiid in the second round, Marbury posted a video from the stands captioned “On top of his head!”
Most likely to live-post courtside: Ben Stiller. Stiller became a prominent Knicks voice on X during the 2023-24 season, which coincided with the team’s best campaign since 2012-13, and has since grown his platform. His social posts range from interactions with fans to courtside videos — including clips of Brunson and Hart during the Hawks series — and he often begins live-posting even while inches from the action.
