Knicks bandwagon fan accusations fall flat with Timothée Chalamet

The New York Knicks rival the Los Angeles Lakers when it comes to their celebrity fans.

New York’s epic run to the Eastern Conference Finals has had Madison Square Garden buzzing with celebrity sightings recently, and many NBA fans are naturally wondering whether celebs like Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet are true Knicks die-hards or merely bandwagon opportunists.

The latter can’t be said for Chalamet, at least according to a new piece by Scott Cacciola of The New York Times that detailed the actor’s lifelong love for the Knicks.

As a native New Yorker (born and raised in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen), Chalamet’s Knicks fandom is the real deal, per Cacciola.

“When other celebrities were strutting the carpet at the Met Gala, Chalamet was in Boston, cheering on the Knicks during Game 1 against the Celtics, a thrilling overtime victory,” Cacciola wrote.

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Some observers are predicting that Chalamet could become the heir apparent to Spike Lee as MSG’s premier celebrity courtside fan who attends the majority of home games.

While that isn’t likely to happen until Chalamet gets older and has a less busy acting schedule, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 29-year-old settle in as a regular Knicks attendee in his later years. Chalamet enjoys sharing in the MSG glow and interacting with other fans, too.

“Chalamet has become a fixture at Madison Square Garden, high-fiving fans and celebrating alongside fellow Knicks die-hards like Spike Lee and Ben Stiller,” Cacciola wrote. “In a viral moment, Chalamet was seen leaning out of an SUV window on 33rd Street, grinning and high-fiving fans as they swarmed the streets near Madison Square Garden.” 

Chalamet has gained the respect of former Knicks big man Amar’e Stoudemire, who said, per Cacciola, “Timothée’s passion is real. He’s out there representing the city like a true New Yorker.”

As the Knicks begin their ECF series versus the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, there’s no doubt that Chalamet will be once again be locked in and ready to go courtside.

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