The New York Knicks‘ run to winning the NBA Finals last year meant that Madison Square Garden was the place to be for celebrities.
While some famous fans, like Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, attended games during the regular season, the VIP list only grew as the Knicks went deeper into the postseason. That culminated in the Knicks’ final home game of the season, when celebrities serenaded a New York comeback over the San Antonio Spurs.
Among those fans in attendance was Taylor Swift, supporting the Knicks for what seemed like the first time in her life. Although the Knicks’ players were focused on the game, they still noticed the influx of celebrity fans sitting courtside during the championship series.
Tyler Kolek, however, spent most of the playoff run on the New York bench, so he had a chance to take in the atmosphere. When he was asked who the “fakest” fan was, though, the third-year player hesitated before saying that it was Swift.
Here’s why Kolek called Swift’s support “fake.”
Tyler Kolek calls Taylor Swift ‘fake’ fan
Knicks guards Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride were participating in an NBA 2K live stream on Thursday, answering questions from fans, with one of the topics being all of the celebrities that attend Knicks games.
“At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative, because they just want to be seen at the game,” Kolek said. “They’re not necessarily fans.”
Then, the Knicks guard was asked to name the “fakest” fan of the NBA Finals run, and he said it was Taylor Swift.
“Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” Kolek said. “I guess she has a lot going on so she can’t come all the time. But it’s a little performative.”
Q “Who’s the fakest celeb fan you’ve seen courtside?” Tyler Kolek “Maybe Taylor Swift?” Deuce McBride “I would agree…Swifties not gonna like that answer” Kolek “I’m gonna get some hate…I guess she’s got a lot going on…can’t come all the time…but it’s a little performative” https://t.co/r7v4AJBK04
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 5, 2026
Swift was in attendance for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, sitting next to the Haim sisters and Mariska Hargitay courtside. While many of the celebrities in attendance during the Knicks’ playoff run were noted fans of the team, Swift’s support caught everyone off guard.
As Swift is immensely popular, just attending a typical Knicks game isn’t as easy for her as it is for most Knicks celebrity fans. Still, the players on the team know which celebrities show up during the regular season and which celebrities just started attending games during the playoffs.
