UpdatedSat, November 7, 2026 at 5:37 AM UTC
The New York Knicks snapped a 53-year championship drought this past June, finally bringing the championship back to Madison Square Garden after a historic playoff run.
However, this week, the Knicks organization found itself in the unusual position of issuing a statement defending Taylor Swift’s fandom after a remark by one of its own players.
NBA Social Media Marvels at the Knicks Defending Taylor Swift Over Player
The drama started Thursday when Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek and Miles “Deuce” McBride went live on the NBA 2K League’s official TikTok page.
During a segment for the league’s “Deflected” series, the pair were asked to identify the fakest celebrity fan they have seen sitting courtside during an NBA game.
Instead of picking a safe target, Kolek took aim at Swift. “At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative because like they just want to be seen at the game,” he said on the stream. “They’re not necessarily fans. Maybe Taylor Swift. I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games.”
Kolek tried to soften the blow by acknowledging that Swift ‘has a lot going on,’ but doubled down by calling her appearances “a little performative,” and while that remark caught attention, it was overshadowed by the team’s statement supporting Swift, even against one of their own players.
Social media took notice of the franchise’s statement and did not mince words.
“I promise it’s not that serious,” one user remarked.
With some of the most expensive tickets in the NBA, and the optics of having Swift in attendance, management understands who generates attention and who doesn’t. Kolek is a bench player who averages 12.2 minutes per game and 2.5 points per game.
In the eyes of many, the front office and upper management understand the situation from a visual standpoint.
“Quickest damage control I’ve ever seen LMAOOOOOOOO bravo Knicks,” another user quipped.
“Swiftie FC I wasn’t familiar with ya game,” another observer commented.
Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals at MSG this summer, and has long-standing ties to the arena that extend far beyond basketball. Swift even competed in a Knicks Kids talent competition during a halftime show back in 2003 when she was just 13 years old.
Under those circumstances, she’s spent parts of over 20 years at MSG. However, among the kudos and laughs, many took umbrage at the franchise siding with the singer.
“Siding with a billionaire instead of your own players ✌️,” sneered an X user.
“Taylor Swift and her fans are the worst thing that’s happened to sports in the last few years they’re so insufferable,” another user chimed in.
“There is no way that needed a statement,” Knicks writer Kris Pursiainen posted.
“Genuinely thought this was Centel 😭,” a hoops fan pondered.
For context, NBA Centel is a parody account that offers outlandish, humor-driven tweets that some do take seriously.
While social media found humor in the PR crisis, the Knicks are off to a difficult start in their bid to defend the title, currently sitting at 4-4 and hovering in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack.
They defeated the Chicago Bulls 135-105 on November 4, but that win followed frustrating early-season losses to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
Jalen Brunson’s side looks disjointed despite returning the core of their roster and faces a critical matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers to regain momentum and overcome a sluggish start to the season.
This article originally appeared onPro Football Network.
