The New York Knicks brought plenty of star power with them to Texas on Saturday, June 13, as a host of celebrity supporters packed the stands at Frost Bank Center for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
With New York entering the night just one win away from a championship, famous Knicks loyalists made the trip to San Antonio to cheer on their team in what could be a series-clinching matchup.
Hollywood and New York Icons Show Their Support
Among the high-profile fans spotted courtside were Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, John Turturro, Sydney Sweeney and Ben Stiller, all proudly backing the Knicks on enemy territory.
© Gregory ShamusThe arena also featured a noticeable sea of blue and orange, as traveling New York supporters made their presence known throughout the venue. In a surprising moment before tipoff, boos echoed through the building as Spurs players were introduced on their home court.
Even a member of the royal family got caught up in the Finals excitement. Prince Harry was seen walking through the arena corridors shortly before the game began.
Knicks Riding Momentum After Historic Comeback
The celebrity-filled crowd came just days after one of the most dramatic games in recent NBA Finals history.
On Wednesday, June 10, the Knicks pulled off an astonishing 107-106 victory at Madison Square Garden after trailing by 29 points in the second half. The comeback gave New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the series and put them one win away from capturing the NBA title.
© Gregory ShamusThe thrilling finish sparked a massive celebration inside the Garden and drew an A-list audience eager to witness history.
Madison Square Garden Was Packed With Stars
Game 4 attracted an impressive lineup of celebrities, including many of the same Knicks super fans who later traveled to San Antonio.
Alongside Chalamet, Lee, Morgan and Stiller, notable attendees included Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Mariska Hargitay, Adam Sandler, Michael J. Fox, Chris Rock, Julianne Moore, Keke Palmer, Alana Haim, Este Haim, Whoopi Goldberg, Hailey Bieber, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Schumer, Penn Badgley, Jeremy Strong, Rainn Wilson, Nas, and Tate McRae.
The packed celebrity row reflected the growing excitement surrounding the Knicks' unexpected Finals run.
Ticket Restrictions Failed to Keep Knicks Fans Away
Despite efforts to limit ticket sales to local residents, New York fans still appeared to show up in large numbers for Game 5.
Earlier on Saturday, Ticketmaster posted a notice stating that ticket purchases would be restricted to customers living within a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center.
"Sales to this event will be restricted to customers residing within a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center," the company said, noting that residency would be determined using credit card billing addresses.
“Orders by residents outside of a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center will be canceled without notice and refunds given,” the notice added. A spokesperson for the Spurs later confirmed the policy to PEOPLE.
"The 150-mile radius restriction introduced during the Playoffs remains in place throughout the NBA Finals. This allows us to continue prioritizing local fans across San Antonio, Austin and surrounding communities," the spokesperson said.
The Road To A Championship
Heading into Saturday night's contest, the Knicks held a 3-1 advantage over the Spurs and were looking to secure their first NBA championship in decades.
With celebrities filling the arena, traveling fans making plenty of noise and the stakes at an all-time high, Game 5 had all the ingredients for a memorable Finals showdown. It was a memorable game, indeed, and the New York team ended up walking away victorious.
