Madison Square Garden’s famous celebrity row was in full force for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
With the Knicks hosting their first Finals game in New York in 27 years on Monday night, a host of high-profile fans turned out to witness the historic occasion.
Among the most notable attendees were longtime Knicks supporters Timothée Chalamet and Fat Joe, who arrived in New York together aboard a private jet ahead of the game.
“Knicks in four, baby, Knicks in four,” Chalamet declared while speaking to reporters on the tarmac.
Actor Ben Stiller, another devoted Knicks fan, was also back in his familiar courtside seat alongside his wife, Christine Taylor. Stiller has been a regular presence throughout the Finals, having attended both of the opening games in San Antonio before returning to Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
Meanwhile, filmmaker and longtime Knicks superfan Spike Lee was a constant presence before tipoff, spotted recording videos on his phone during warmups and media sessions — a familiar sight throughout New York’s playoff run.
Lee arrived wearing a custom Pope Leo XIV Knicks jersey, adding another memorable look to his extensive collection of Knicks-themed outfits.
The star-studded crowd also included “Saturday Night Live” alumni Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey, as well as “Law & Order” stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, underscoring the celebrity-filled atmosphere for the Knicks’ long-awaited return to the NBA Finals stage in New York.
Ben Stiller watches during NBA Finals practice and media availability at Madison Square Garden on June 7, 2026.
Patrick Ewing smiles during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026.
A Knicks playoff game wouldn’t feel complete without a strong showing from franchise legends, and Game 3 was no exception.
Former Knicks greats Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Allan Houston—all of whom attended games in San Antonio—returned to support the team at Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
They were joined by an impressive group of former Knicks players, including Gerald Wilkins, Al Harrington, Bill Bradley, Richie Guerin, Baron Davis, Tim Thomas, Charles Smith, Steve Novak, and Jeremy Lin, adding to the electric atmosphere as New York hosted its first NBA Finals game in nearly three decades.
The star power extended far beyond former players. A wide array of New York sports figures were also in attendance, including Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Rick Pitino, Francisco Lindor, John Franco, Juan Soto, Todd Zeile, Woody Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Adam Fox, and Vincent Trocheck, all showing support for the Knicks during their Finals run.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also attended the game from a suite after reportedly receiving an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan, marking a notable and widely discussed presence at Madison Square Garden amid heightened security measures in the area.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was also spotted in the building, opting for standing-room seating he reportedly purchased for over $1,000, underscoring the extraordinary demand for tickets as the Knicks hosted their first NBA Finals game in New York in decades.
President Donald Trump appears on the videoboard during the national anthem ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals carried some of the most expensive resale demand in sports, ranking as the fourth-highest average ticket price for any sporting event, according to SeatGeek. The average price for entry reached approximately $7,351, reflecting surging demand for the matchup.
At the extreme end of the market, courtside access reached extraordinary levels, with one ticket reportedly fetching up to $1 million in a charity auction hosted by the Knicks, underscoring the unprecedented hype and exclusivity surrounding the event.
