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Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Says He Could Feel Late Mom's Presence During Finals
In the NBA fandom system, there is one honor held above all: sitting courtside.
And of all the celebrities who have sat in that coveted position, there is one A-lister that Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson—who helped secure the team’s historic comeback against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 4 of the NBA Finals June 10—is the happiest to see.
In fact, when it comes to his Mt. Rushmore of front-row spectators, Brunson previously revealed to Richard Jefferson, “My number one, love her to death, and she knows it—Mariska Hargitay.”
And when Jefferson noted Brunson was blushing a little as he said it, the 29-year-old responded with not even a hint of embarrassment, “Yes. Absolutely.”
While the NBA star rounded out his top four with Hargitay's fellow MSG regulars Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan, it’s no secret that the Law & Order star holds a special place in Brunson’s heart.
Even Stiller admitted to Brunson on his and Josh Hart’s podcast in 2025, “The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you post-game is the envy of every other Knicks celebrity game.”
Thankfully, that love is entirely mutual.
As Hargitay recently told E! News, she feels “profoundly grateful” for Brunson’s leadership and the entire Knicks team for “how they’ve brought our city together.”
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images & Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
“There’s something that’s so beautiful about it,” she continued of the bond between Knicks fans. “But there’s also something that we need so much. And it’s very deep. And it’s profound for people. And the way this team has achieved the miraculous, in my opinion—they’re so extraordinary. And they’ve taught us so much about their work ethic and never giving up.”
The 62-year-old—who sat courtside next to Taylor Swift for Game 4 of the NBA finals—also shared insight into just what it’s like to sit inside Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game.
Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
“It is such an extraordinary and singular experience, to feel the energy in the room,” she said, “but also the unity in the room. In these times right now, when the country is divided, it is so extraordinary. And I feel so grateful to the Knicks for how they’ve brought our city together.”
And indeed, that energy within the dome of MSG helped propel the Knicks to securing the biggest comeback victory in NBA finals history, overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106.
For more celebrities who regularly don blue and orange in honor of the New York City team, read on.
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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.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images
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."
Al Bello/Getty Images
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.
Al Bello/Getty Images
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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