The New York Knicks rushed to Taylor Swift’s defense on Friday after players Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride questioned the singer’s fandom.
The reigning world champions were quick to jump on their white horse and congratulate the singer in the wake of their players stirring up nerves with blue and orange Swifties.
“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden and we greatly appreciate her support of the organization,” a Knicks spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
Kolek might even have some explaining to do to his girlfriend and self-identified Swiftie, Alexi Sousa, who wanted to know “what he had to say about my girl.”
The Knicks boast a world-famous front row of fans at their home dates at Madison Square Garden.
When Kolek and McBride appeared in an NBA 2K TikTok livestream Thursday and were asked who was “the fakest celebrity fan you’ve seen on the court,” they dared to come for the 5-foot-10 Pennsylvania native and 14-time Grammy winner.
“Maybe Taylor Swift?” Kolek said. “I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games.”
McBride agreed, but acknowledged that he and Kolek had damaged their reputations and were heading toward anti-hero status.
“I would agree,” McBride said. “Swifties (won’t) like this answer.”
Sensing he was in trouble, Kolek tried to backtrack and said Swift’s life as a showgirl might make it difficult to attend Knicks games.
“I guess she has a lot of things to do so she can’t come all the time,” Kolek said. “But it’s a bit performative.”
Swift’s role in Knicks history will live on as long as fans remember Game 4 of the NBA Finals, when she sat courtside with Alana Haim, Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay at Madison Square Garden.
They donned T-shirts with Knicks puns and watched New York shake off a 29-point deficit to beat San Antonio.
The Knicks, three days later, won the series in San Antonio and brought the NBA championship to New York for the first time since 1973.
Swift is no stranger to the Knicks as she visited practice in 2014 and was taken by Amar’e Stoudemire for a memorable slam dunk.
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