Key Takeaways
- Knicks guard Tyler Kolek named Taylor Swift when asked about the team’s “fakest” celebrity fan during an NBA 2K livestream, calling her courtside appearances “a little performative.”
- Teammate Miles McBride agreed, warned of backlash from Swifties, and praised Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan as genuine Knicks fans.
- Swift attended Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals with Este and Alana Haim, wearing a “Stevie Knicks” shirt as New York beat San Antonio 107–106.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek doesn’t seem to be convinced that Taylor Swift is a genuine fan of the team, and he’s clearly not afraid of upsetting Swifties over it.
During an NBA 2K TikTok livestream on Thursday, Kolek and his teammate Miles “Deuce” McBride were asked to name the “fakest” celebrity Knicks fan that they’ve seen courtside at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
Kolek suggested that some celebrities may choose to attend games for publicity purposes rather than because they love basketball.
“At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative,” he said, according to The New York Post. “Because they just want to be seen at the game. They’re not necessarily fans.”
When he was pushed further for a name, Kolek singled out Swift.
“Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” he said.
While his opinion may be controversial, McBride agreed with him. However, he noted that Swift’s loyal fanbase probably wouldn’t appreciate the criticism.
“I’m going to get some hate from the Swifties,” Kolek joked.
The Knicks guard tried to give Swift a little bit of credit by recognizing that she has a very busy schedule. Nevertheless, he maintained that he views her courtside appearances as “a little performative.”
McBride, meanwhile, praised longtime loyal Knicks fans like Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan, both of whom have been known to attend games regularly at Madison Square Garden.
"Everybody else is usually solid. Like Ben Stiller, Tracy (Morgan), like, those are legit,” he said.
Swift was among many A-list celebrities who attended Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals in June, watching the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. She sat courtside alongside Este and Alana Haim, wearing a shirt that read “Stevie Knicks.”
But Swift's Knicks fandom goes back much further. In a 2014 interview with Time, she expressed her love for the team, citing her friendship with Amar'e Stoudemire and childhood memories of performing at MSG.
However, the singer also faced criticism from Knicks fans after attending an Eastern Conference Finals game alongside her now-husband Travis Kelce, who cheered for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
