Let’s take a look back at the Knicks’ list of A-list celebrities over the past few years, including the team’s last appearance in the NBA Finals in 1999.
The New York Knicks will take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Monday night as a star-studded crowd cheers them on.
Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee are just a few of the die-hard fans who will likely sit in Madison Square Garden’s iconic celebrity row after waiting courtside alongside Fat Joe, Tracy Morgan and Shaquille O’Neal for the first two games.
This season has been historic for the Knicks (who currently lead 2-0), making it to the NBA Finals for the first time since June 1999. At the time, coveted courtside seats at The Garden were filled by star players such as Adam Sandler, Alec Baldwin and Chris Rock.
Keep scrolling to take a look back at the celebrities who attended the 1999 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs, and others who sat in celebrity row at various Knicks games over the years at MSG.
Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor were spotted arriving at Madison Square Garden on June 23, 1999, before taking courtside seats for the Knicks vs. Spurs game. Ron Galera Collection (via Getty)
Billy Crystal and Alec Baldwin were photographed courtside cheering on the Knicks in June 1999, before they qualified for that year’s NBA Finals. Getty Images
Actor Jason Patric and supermodel Christy Turlington were also in the front row at the 1999 Knicks game. Getty Images
Actor Adam Sandler and comedian Chris Rock were regulars at Knicks games at MSG during the 1999 NBA Finals. Ron Galera Collection (via Getty)
Other A’s spotted in the front row at the 1999 game included Jerry Seinfeld and Sean “Diddy” Combs. NBAE (via Getty Images)
Since the 1999 NBA Finals, Sandler has continued to support the Knicks courtside at MSG. The actor is pictured above at a game in December 2004. NBAE (via Getty Images)
Madonna has also been spotted courtside several times, including one where she was photographed here with friends in June 1994. AFP (via Getty Images)
Back in February 2012, Richard Gere took his son Homer (who recently starred in Euphoria with Sidney Sweeney) to a Knicks game at the Garden. wire image
Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Charles, and Ethan Hawke (pictured together above) have been sitting front row at MSG for years. wire image
Beyoncé and Jay-Z also appear in the celebrity column, including one from December 2002. Getty Images
In December 2002, before her tragic death in 2009, actress Brittany Murphy was photographed courtside with Ashton Kutcher at a Knicks game. Getty Images
Bill Murray is another actor that fans have seen sitting in celebrity row at several games, including his arrival photo in May 1993. Ron Galera Collection (via Getty)
As seen above, Lindsay Lohan was photographed courtside at a Knicks game in April 2004. Getty Images
Heidi Klum wore an “I (love) NY” T-shirt while rooting for the Knicks at MSG. wire image
Hawk is a regular at MSG and is seen sitting with friends on top of the celebrity row in this old photo. Ron Galera Collection (via Getty)
Other celebrities who sat courtside at various Knicks games at MSG include Whoopi Goldberg and Sean Penn (pictured together above). wire image
Even Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (pictured above) have experienced celebrity brawls at MSG. wire image
Taking kids to Knicks games has become a fun hobby for many celebrities. That includes Julianne Moore, pictured attending the game with her son. wire image
Cash Warren and Jessica Alba had a courtside date at a Knicks game in November 2005 before they split in 2024. wire image
Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall was sitting in the front row next to Beyonce at a Knicks game at the time. wire image
Natalie Portman was also photographed cheering on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. wire image
Ray Liotta (above) is photographed courtside at a February 2004 game. Getty Images
Spike Lee is one of the Knicks’ most avid fans. He is pictured cheering on his team in May 1994. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima
Kevin James (pictured above) was spotted in a celebrity brawl in November 2002. NBAE (via Getty Images)
Back in 2002, Ice Cube also appeared in the front row to cheer on the New York-based team. NBAE (via Getty Images)
Glenn Close was seen discussing it with David Blaine at a Knicks game in December 2003. Getty Images
In April 2004, Nia Long posed courtside with a big smile on her face for her dads. Getty Images
New Knicks fans include Selena Gomez and her husband Benny Blanco (pictured above at an April 2025 game). Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Timothée Chalamet has become a regular at Knicks games and even missed the 2026 Met Gala to cheer on the team with his girlfriend Kylie Jenner. NBAE (via Getty Images)
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were packed with PDA during an appearance at MSG in May 2026 ahead of their summer wedding in the Garden in July. Getty Images
Stiller is known for bringing his friends to games and cheering on the Knicks front row alongside other celebrities. Getty Images
The one and only Martha Stewart (pictured in May 2026) has also appeared several times in the garden. Getty Images
Chalamet has cheered on the Knicks solo many times, but he seemed to have a lot of fun when he brought Jenner as his date to an NBA playoff game at MSG last month. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
