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There's a reason why Madison Square Garden brands itself as "The World's Most Famous Arena."
The stadium's theater lighting makes the hardwood is the stage, and the 10 players on the court are the actors captivating the 19,000-plus fans in the audience. Among that audience is a host of stars who know quite a bit about captivating crowds.
As one of the league's most notable franchises, courtside at MSG doubles as celebrity row for famous fans. For decades, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee has perhaps been the Knicks' most front-facing celebrity fanatic, and he appears primed to one day pass that torch to superstar Timothée Chalamet.
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While the list of celebrities seated courtside in New York City is often countless, a certain group of Knicks loyalists has displayed a fanaticism that goes above and beyond. Here are some of the biggest.
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Knicks biggest celebrity fans
Spike Lee
Lee, a Brooklyn native, has been a visible Knicks fan through the franchise's highs and lows.
The earliest documented evidence of Lee seated courtside at a Knicks game is in 1991 and his notoriety as a fan grew in the mid-1990s, when he was on hand for the team's run to the 1994 NBA Finals. One year later, he gained even more notoriety as a fan after a feud with Pacers star Reggie Miller.
Lee's fanhood knows no bounds as he is a courtside mainstay at Madison Square Garden and for Knicks road games. The higher the profile of the matchup, the higher the likelihood of seeing Lee there.
Timothee Chalamet
Chalamet is a New Yorker whose lifelong affinity for the Knicks has been documented. During his youth, Chalamet's love for the Knicks resulted in a photo with then-New York forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who has since called Chalamet "the next Spike Lee."
Like Lee, Chalamet's fanhood knows no bounds and he has attended Knicks road playoff games in Detroit and Boston, where he sat courtside for a potential closeout opportunity.
Stephen A. Smith
Smith, ESPN's top reporter, is also a native of Queens. His objectivity as a media member goes out the window when it comes to the Knicks.
Like most, Smith has been around for the highs and lows and keeps it brutally honest when he feels his team needs to pick up the slack. Conversely, he revels in New York victories like its Game 6 closeout win to snap a 25-year conference finals drought.
NEW YOOOORK NEEEEEW YOOOORK pic.twitter.com/MOFSUNTK4s
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 17, 2025Ben Stiller
Like each of the above fans, Stiller is a New Yorker through and through. His profile on X (formerly Twitter) essentially mimics that of a major fan who has not won an Emmy Award.
Been at this for a while.#KNICKS IN 6 pic.twitter.com/T8C4wiwquU
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 16, 2025Stiller is another courtside mainstay and typically dons some type of Knicks apparel when in his seats.
Jon Stewart
The comedian and political commentator was born and raised in New York and proudly represents his city's NBA team, often from courtside seats.
As part of the widespread celebrations of the Eastern Conference Finals berth, Stewart and Smith shared a moment on the MSG floor.
2028, @jonstewart? pic.twitter.com/U0xBFozA3x
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 17, 2025Tracy Morgan
Morgan is a Brooklyn native who has been spotted at Knicks games for decades. Like the other high-profile fans, Morgan almost always shows his support from a courtside seat.
He's even taken over the team's official social media accounts before.
In case you didn't know @RealTracyMorgan has been handed the keys to the @nyknicks handle tonight! pic.twitter.com/PktE9Ndi
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 18, 2012Fat Joe
The leader of the Terror Squad collective is from The Bronx, where things happen. Among those things is an undying connection to the Knicks.
There are many rap stars from New York but few are as visible at Knicks games as Fat Joe, who has been a consistent presence for some time now. During Jalen Brunson's postgame moment with Smith, Fat Joe was right there, accompanied by Lee.
Captain Clutch pic.twitter.com/NU6qIQ5dmO
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 17, 2025
English (US)