Harry Styles, Nina Dobrev & More Make Knicks Opener Nothing But Net
Did LeBron James Almost Join the Knicks Before 76ers Move? He Says...
The New York Knicks might have lost in points—but they won in star power.
As the NBA team kicked off its season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers Oct. 20 at home in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, there were plenty of celebrities packed into the arena to take in the action.
For one, Harry Styles proved that despite his 30-show residency at the world-famous arena, he can’t quite stay away. The “Aperture” singer was shown on the jumbotron taking in the game from one of MSG's suites.
Although Styles’ presence wasn’t quite enough for the Knicks to defeat the LeBron James-led 76ers—they ultimately lost by just six points—the 32-year-old owed NBA Finals 2026 MVP Jalen Brunson a visit. After all, the basketball star stopped by one of Styles’ recent residency shows.
“We may or may not have the king of New York in the house tonight,” Styles teased during the Sept. 12 show where Brunson was in attendance. “Mr. Jalen Brunson. I salute you.”
Meanwhile, back at the game there was a mini Vampire Diaries reunion courtside, as Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley took in the action up close. Jon Bon Jovi, The Daily Show's Jon Stewart and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Christopher Briney were also seen sporting their orange and blue.
Of course, the most famous New York Knicks fans of all were also in the house. Mariska Hargitay joined in on the action alongside her son Augustus Hermann, while Ben Stiller made sure to be there, too.
Most importantly, Mr. Knickerbocker himself Spike Lee also stepped out, sporting one of his signature orange and blue pinstriped suits, along with a matching hat, boots and New York Knicks backpack.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
The Do The Right Thing director—who has long proven himself to be the Knick’s biggest celebrity fan—was in such good spirits before tip-off that he even crashed the NBA’s pre-game show, telling cameras he was feeling, “Great, great, great, great!”
But when the reporters prodded Lee for more commentary on the momentous game, Lee simply quipped, “Yee haw!” before running out of frame.
Whatever the scoreboard said, the stars certainly made the Knicks first game unforgettable. Keep reading for more celebs who have stepped out at the Garden…
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Timothée Chalamet
When it comes to Timothée Chalamet's fandoms, his love of the New York Knicks reigns supreme.
"My grandma was a huge Knicks fan, so that's what turned me onto them," the Marty Supreme star told 7PM in Brooklyn in 2025. "If you live in New York, you are a Knicks fan."
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Kylie Jenner
And if you've been keeping up, then you know Kylie Jenner has been joining Chalamet, whom she's dated since 2023, courtside to cheer on the Knicks.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Ben Stiller
You could never sever Ben Stiller's tie to the Knicks. In fact, the Severance director said that if he could choose between winning an Oscar or having the team take the championship title, he'd pick the latter.
"I really think, at the end of the day, if I knew that I had the choice, I would give it to the Knicks," he said on New Heights in 2025, "because I knew at least I had the choice in this weird, non-real situation."
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Spike Lee
Spike Lee is a longtime Knicks superfan and believes the 2025-2026 roster has what it takes to secure the trophy.
"I don’t care about San Antonio. OKC,” the filmmaker told the New York Post in May 2026. “We’re going to win.”
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Tracy Morgan
Nothing could rock Tracy Morgan's love for the Knicks. As the 30 Rock alum put it on The Rich Eisen Show in 2021, "I'm the biggest Knicks fan there is besides Spike."
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Fat Joe
What's Luv? The way Fat Joe feels about the Knicks.
In fact, hours before the Knicks confirmed their appearance in the finals, the rapper reflected on the decades the team struggled, noting to ESPN, "It’s time. We paid our dues."
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Pete Davidson
Live from New York...it's Pete Davidson. The Saturday Night Live alum has often been seen sitting courtside.
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Chris Rock
Chris Rock's loyalty to the Knicks is no laughing matter as the comedian has attended many games over the years.
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Larry David
Larry David isn't going to curb his enthusiasm for the Knicks.
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JB Smoove
And neither is his costar JB Smoove.
"How it started vs How it ended," the actor wrote on Instagram in 2024. "It’ll always be Knicks for life."
Jordyn Woods / Instagram
Jordyn Woods
Jordyn Woods' love for the Knicks extends on and off the court. The Woods by Jordyn founder is engaged to the team's center Karl-Anthony Towns.
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Cardi B
While Cardi B has a song called "Bodak Yellow," she's all about that orange and blue. In fact, the rapper and former Patriots player Stefon Diggs officially debuted their romance at a 2025 game between the Knicks and the Boston Celtics.
Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
Anne Hathaway
Is Anne Hathaway wearing the Chanel boots Knicks colors? Yeah, she is. The Devil Wears Prada star showed where her loyalties lie by donning an orange and blue pocket square to The Tonight Show in April 2026.
"I’m very chill," she told host Jimmy Fallon about her fandom. "I’m very loving and calm. But I’m also the type of fan that I considered wearing an OG jersey out here today."
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Jimmy Fallon
Speaking of which, Fallon is also a big fan of the Knicks, with him even bringing his eldest daughter Franny along for the ride during the 2026 NBA playoffs.
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Michael J. Fox
You don't have to travel back to the future to see how much Michael J. Fox loves the Knicks. The actor has gone to many games with his wife Tracy Pollan.
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Jon Stewart
Throughout the Knicks' ups and downs, Jon Stewart has continued to support the team, with The Daily Show host calling himself a "ride or die" fan.
Instagram / Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers
A Knicks win is music to Maggie Rogers' ears as the singer has documented her love for the organization.
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