As if taking a page from Donald Trump’s playbook, celebrity Knicks fans made a dazzling appearance at Madison Square Garden for what was heralded as one of the most thrilling nights in New York sports history.
Timothee Chalamet returned to his coveted courtside seat, donning a striking orange suit and sunglasses, to watch the game against the San Antonio Spurs. Although he was flying solo this time, his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, had accompanied him to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland just last month.
Meanwhile, Ben Stiller, accompanied by his wife Christine Taylor, was spotted sitting next to Chalamet as the game tipped off. Stiller has been vocal this year, criticizing Trump for using clips from his film “Tropic Thunder” in a montage that promoted America’s stance against Iran.
On the social media platform X, Stiller wrote, “Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie.”
Also gracing the event was Larry David, the mastermind behind “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and a known Trump critic, who enjoyed premier seating during Game 3 of the Finals.
David has famously lampooned Trump supporters on his show, once donning a MAGA hat as a humorous tactic to ward off unwanted company. In another memorable episode, he accidentally tripped and injured Shaquille O’Neal while stretching his legs courtside at a Lakers game.
Timothee Chalamet was courtside for Spurs vs Knicks without girlfriend Kylie Jenner
Ben Stiller had one of the best seats in the house on a huge night for New York sports
Chalamet and Stiller were going crazy when the first quarter finally began at MSG
Larry David was shown in his seat by ESPN around an hour before the start of the game
Other notable names included Jay Z, John McEnroe, Jason Bateman, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Yankees baseball legend Derek Jeter.
It was a nervy start by the Knicks though, who looked to be feeling the pressure of so much anticipation. They were 11 points back, trailing 33-22 at the end of the first quarter and Knicks superfan Spike Lee was getting irate in the early moments of the game.
With less than five minutes left in the first quarter and the Knicks trailing 24-13, cameras caught Lee screaming at the nearby referee to call a foul – almost stepping onto the court in the process.
It was spotted by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, watching from home, who shared the clip and wrote: ‘So Spike Lee is allowed to throw temper tantrums at mid court, harass the refs and make a foul call? Good to know.’
By the end of the second quarter though, things were very different with the Knicks flipping the score and leading 64-57 at the hafltime interval.
Meanwhile Trump, a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, was thunderously booed by the Knicks fans who joined him at MSG with the hottest ticket in town.
The President smirked as the booing rang out when he was shown on the jumbotron during the national anthem. He was standing alongside Dolan and his eldest granddaughter, Kai.
The booing then quickly turned to cheers when the cameras flipped to Jalen Brunson, the star of this Knicks team trying to win its first NBA finals since 1973. Trump’s attendance on Monday night had proved especially polarizing for Knicks fans due to the security measures that needed to be implemented to protect him.
Chalamet was without girlfriend Kylie Jenner, despite taking her to previous Knicks games
Comedian Tracy Morgan waves to the Knicks fans after greeting Chalamet at the game
Spike Lee and Dave Chapelle posed for pictures with fans before the game began at MSG
Rapper Jay Z was also on hand as the Knicks looked to take another step towards glory
Lines to get in were starting at least four blocks away from MSG, while metal detectors were set up 200 feet away from the venue that every fan would have to pass through, with the Secret Service watching on.
Trump protestors gathered near the venue, too, adding to the tension outside as tipoff neared.
The New York Police Department and Secret Service established a multiblock security perimeter around the arena and, controversially, canceled the hugely popular watch parties outside of the venue.
They were, however, popping up everywhere else across Manhattan.
The NYPD even shut down every sidewalk and street from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue in a move halting all pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Game 4, back at the garden, is scheduled for Wednesday night.
