Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Knicks players question Taylor Swift's loyalty as a fan
Knicks guard Tyler Kolek called Taylor Swift the team's “fakest” celebrity fan during a livestream about courtside guests.
Teammate Deuce McBride agreed, saying regulars such as Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan were genuine supporters.
Kolek said he had only seen Swift at the Knicks' NBA Finals Game 4 in June, and suggested some celebrities attend games to be seen.
Swift was at Madison Square Garden for that Finals game, where the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs and went on to win the championship.
The sources also say she attended a Knicks game in May with Travis Kelce, who was supporting the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kolek said Swift's appearances seemed performative, while acknowledging she has a lot going on and cannot attend every game.
His comments echo criticism Swift faced from some public figures after her Finals appearance, while Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defended her and asked fans to cut her some slack.
Swift's representative had not immediately responded to a request for comment, and no further response or action was reported.
Knicks guard Tyler Kolek called Taylor Swift the team’s “fakest” celebrity fan during a livestream, saying her courtside presence seemed performative.
Teammate Deuce McBride agreed, while noting that Swift’s fans would not like the comment.
Kolek said Swift has a lot going on and cannot attend every game.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson later defended Swift, telling her fans to cut her some slack.
Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10.
- Who
- Knicks players Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride questioned Taylor Swift’s fandom. Jalen Brunson defended her.
- What
- Kolek called Swift the team’s “fakest” celebrity fan and described her presence at games as performative. McBride agreed.
- When
- The comments were made during a livestream on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The comments appeared on the NBA 2K League’s Deflected show.
- Why
- Kolek said some celebrities attend games to be seen rather than because they are fans.
Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride
Jalen Brunson
Fandom
Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride
Kolek called Swift the “fakest” celebrity fan and said her presence seemed performative; McBride agreed.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson said Swift was a good fan and asked her fans to cut her some slack.
Courtside attendance
Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride
Kolek said some celebrities want to be seen at games and are not necessarily fans.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson defended Swift against criticism from her fans.
Swift attended some Knicks games in New York.
Swift attended a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden with Travis Kelce as the Knicks played his Cleveland Cavaliers team.
Swift watched Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks played the San Antonio Spurs.
Kolek and McBride discussed Swift’s fandom during an NBA 2K League livestream.
Page Six and the Daily Mail published reports about the players’ comments.
- Players
- Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride
- Game attended
- NBA Finals Game 4
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden, New York
- Livestream date
- November 5, 2026
- Swift’s teammate defender
- Jalen Brunson
3 sources
What people are saying
I guess she's got a lot going on so she can't come all the time. But it's a little performative.
I would agree.
She's a really good one. Cut her some slack. It's all good. I promise.