The defending NBA champion New York Knicks have come to Taylor Swift’s defense after reserve guard Tyler Kolek questioned whether the pop superstar is a genuine fan of the team.
“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden (MSG), and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization,” an MSG spokesperson told Our News Outlet.
Kolek sparked the controversy days earlier when he named Swift the Knicks’ “fakest celebrity” fan during an appearance on the NBA 2K League’s “Deflected” show.
Swift attended New York’s dramatic Game 4 comeback against the San Antonio Spurs at MSG in June wearing a custom, team-colored “Stevie Knicks” T-shirt. Kolek remembered seeing her in the arena but suggested she may have only recently joined the Knicks’ fan base.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” Kolek said.
Teammate Miles McBride appeared to agree, though he warned Kolek that “Swifties [are] not gonna like that answer.”
The defending NBA champion New York Knicks have backed Taylor Swift (pictured at the 2026 NBA Finals) after reserve guard Tyler Kolek questioned her loyalty to the team
Archive wire photos show Swift socializing with celebrity friends and Knicks supporters during games at MSG in 2014. She is pictured sharing a beer with Karlie Kloss, wife of future Lakers owner Josh Kushner
Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Amanda Seyfried, Taylor Swift and a guest attend the Orlando Magic’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2014, in New York
The comments quickly triggered a backlash. Swift’s fans flooded social media, with many responding by highlighting Kolek’s limited role and playing time.
“Taylor been to more Knicks games than you Tyler,” one Swiftie posted, summing up the reaction from many others.
Swift has, in fact, attended Knicks games over the years, particularly before she began dating Kansas City Chiefs star and Cleveland Cavaliers fan Travis Kelce. She later watched the Cavaliers face the Knicks in Cleveland with her then-fiancé, although she did not wear any visible team merchandise.
Archive photos also show Swift mingling with celebrity friends and Knicks fans during several 2014 games at MSG. She was photographed sharing a beer with model Karlie Kloss, now married to future Lakers owner Josh Kushner, and spending time with Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, his wife Kate Upton, and actors Amanda Seyfried and Justin Long.
Kolek’s criticism extended beyond Swift. He also took aim at the broader group of celebrities who attend Knicks games at MSG, arguing that many are more interested in being seen than in supporting the team.
“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.”
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Knicks guard Tyler Kolek singled out Swift while criticizing what he called “performative” behavior from celebrity spectators
Teammate Miles McBride appeared to agree with Kolek but cautioned that Swift’s fans would not appreciate the remarks
Swift laughs with two well-known Knicks supporters, John McEnroe and Ben Stiller
This is not the first time Swift’s Knicks credentials have been questioned.
MSG Network host Monica McNutt faced intense criticism during Game 4 after saying Swift was “not a Knicks fan” and telling her to “get out of here, girl.”
Knicks star Jalen Brunson later defended McNutt after Swift’s fans directed a wave of criticism at her. During the locker-room celebrations, he ended an interview with McNutt by referring to the controversy.
“I just want to say something to the Swifties,” Brunson told MSG Sports. “She’s a really good one. Cut her some slack. It’s all good. I promise.”
McNutt later revisited the incident in an interview with TMZ Sports, saying: “I said what I said, and here’s the deal: if I’m wrong, I’m wrong apparently, because she’s got an OG Amar’e Stoudemire jersey.
“I misspoke. I did not know, but here’s the deal. Context: I literally just did a piece on celebrity row at Madison Square Garden. I’ve been with this organization for five years. I know these folks.
Swift also watched the Knicks take on her husband’s team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in May
“Ben Stiller, his wife Christine, Spike Lee, Fat Joe. I had not seen her here this year or last year, and we had just seen her in Cleveland with her fiancé. Obviously, Travis (Kelce) supports the Cavs.
“She didn’t have on any Knicks paraphernalia, so I did not know about her Knicks loyalty. … T-Swift, we could be united in orange and blue. It’s fine.”
The day after attending the game at Madison Square Garden, Swift appeared at New York’s Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony. There, Universal Music Publishing president Evan Lamberg was overheard thanking her for supporting the Knicks.
“Thank you for our Knicks good luck. I think you won the game for them,” Lamberg said.
