See Photos of the Knicks' Most Die-Hard Celebrity Fans, Then and Now

Spike Lee, Mariska Hargitay and Timothée Chalamet are among the A-listers who famously root for the New York team

The New York Knicks are in the NBA finals for the first time since 1999 and celebrity fans have been staked out courtside all season. But the most die-hard superfans have been cheering the team on for decades.

Timothée Chalamet has recently come to be known as one of the Knicks' biggest cheerleaders on the sidelines, but he merely joins the ranks of Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay and Tracy Morgan who have been courtside staples for decades. Above them all is perhaps Spike Lee, who is so dedicated to the franchise, fans feel he should also get a championship ring if the Knicks go all the way.

Ahead, see photos of some of the New York Knicks' biggest celebrity fans then and now.

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Mariska Hargitay

When it comes to New York's finest, it doesn't get better than Mariska Hargitay (in 2016 and this year). The beloved star of Law & Order: SVU — which is set in New York — is so much of a Knicks fan, she has developed a now-famous friendship with the team's point guard, Jalen Brunson.

In fact, she told Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones he inspired her to push through nerves as she was preparing for Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway. "I just thought about him and his inspiration and his humility and his work ethic, to say, 'You can do hard things. No matter what you can do hard things,'" she said.

"He is so singular, and magnificent. He is a magnificent human."

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Spike Lee

A fixture at Madison Square Garden, Spike Lee (in 2000 and this year) doesn't just love the Knicks — he wears that on his sleeve with pretty much every iteration of Knicks merchandise. From the classic jersey to sneakers, caps, varsity jackets and formalwear (as seen above, which he wore to Cannes before that), the famed director basically bleeds orange and blue.

For game 3 at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026, Lee will be bringing some extra good luck, as he promised to wear his Knicks jersey signed by Pope Leo.

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Ben Stiller

It appears a love for the Knicks is something of an inheritance for Ben Stiller. Above, the actor is pictured getting a good laugh as his dad, the late Jerry Stiller, screams during a face-off against the Bulls in 2012.

Fast-forward 14 years later, and Ben is the one doing the screaming at a game against the Indiana Pacers back in May 2026. You'll likely see him courtside at the finals with wife Christine Taylor, another die-hard fan.

Spike Lee isn't the only Knicks fanatic who even sports the team colors to black tie events. Stiller missed a game for the Met Gala this May, and showed up in an orange tie and a navy suit, telling photographers, "I wish I was there."

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Jon Stewart

Similarly, Jon Stewart has been instilling a love for the orange and blue in his son Nathan. The father-son pair have been attending games together since 2008, when Nathan was a wee tot.

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Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon has been blessing the New York Knicks with good humor for decades. The Tonight Show host was pictured waving across court back in 2015, and was back making faux three-pointers on May 4, 2026. (To say nothing of getting his shoe untied by Josh Hart, a true mark of fandom.)

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Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan had the perfect seats back in 2011 as they were seated directly behind players such as Chauncey Billups while the Knicks took on the Bulls in 2011.

The Back to the Future actor was back at it, supporting his team as they took on the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21, 2026. (Any word from the future as to whether they'll win in 4?)

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Chris Rock

Any Knicks fan knows that the journey is not always smooth, and it appears Chris Rock was feeling that intensely during a game in 2007.

Still, it's all about enjoying the ride. The comedian was pictured having a laugh while courtside at a game in 2025.

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Tracy Morgan

Another superfan with a full closet of gear, Tracy Morgan rocked a classic New York Knicks jersey as he cheered for the team in 2011. For his appearance on June 3, 2026, the Saturday Night Live! alum was decked out, top to bottom, in Knicks swag.

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Fat Joe

A native of the South Bronx, it comes as no surprise that Fat Joe is a dedicated Knicks fan. The rapper was snapped clapping for his team in 2007 and he was back spurring them on during their matchup against the Cavaliers on May 21, 2026.

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Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler can also frequently be seen completely dialed in on the sidelines, as seen here in 2005 and again in 2025. But his true test of commitment is showing up in team gear to his wife's movie premiere in May, a level of dedication that had the internet divided.

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Timothée Chalamet

Long before Timothée Chalamet was an Academy Award nominee, he was a Knicks fan. The Hell's Kitchen native, hardly ever misses a game these days, and fans were delighted to see how deep his roots ran when this epic throwback of him at age 15 posing with former Knicks player Landry Fields began circulating on social media.

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