Knicks Mania Takes Over New York: Ben Stiller, Fat Joe and A-List Stars Rally Behind Historic Finals Run

Ben Stiller, Fat Joe and a host of celebrities rally behind the New York Knicks as they return to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 NBA Finals lead over the Spurs.

The New York Knicks are not just chasing an NBA championship—they are capturing the attention of an entire city and some of the world’s biggest celebrities.

Holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks returned to New York ahead of a crucial Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. As anticipation continues to build, Sunday’s practice session offered a glimpse of just how much excitement surrounds the franchise’s remarkable postseason journey.

Among those in attendance was longtime Knicks superfan Ben Stiller, who once again demonstrated his unwavering support for the team. The Hollywood actor and acclaimed television director was spotted courtside at practice, documenting the session with a camera while interacting with players and staff.

His presence highlighted the growing cultural phenomenon surrounding a Knicks team that has become one of the biggest stories in sports.

Ben Stiller and Celebrity Fans Fuel the Knicks’ Championship Buzz

Throughout New York’s playoff run, Stiller has become almost as recognizable to fans as some of the players themselves. Whether sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden or traveling across the country to support the team, the actor’s passionate reactions have frequently gone viral on social media.

This time, however, Stiller wasn’t simply watching.

The creator and director of the hit television series Severance appeared focused on capturing behind-the-scenes footage from practice, offering fans an exclusive perspective on the team’s preparations ahead of Game 3.

He was not alone.

Legendary rapper Fat Joe was also present at the workout, adding another familiar face to the growing list of celebrity supporters embracing the Knicks’ playoff success.

Head coach Mike Brown couldn’t hide his excitement when discussing the star-studded attendance.

Brown joked that it was a special day because he finally had the chance to personally meet Stiller while also welcoming Fat Joe to practice. The lighthearted moment reflected the positive atmosphere surrounding a team that appears fully locked in despite the increasing spotlight.

Madison Square Garden Set for a Star-Studded Game 3

The Knicks’ incredible postseason run has transformed Madison Square Garden into one of the hottest tickets in sports.

Over the past several weeks, a parade of celebrities has been spotted cheering on New York. Familiar faces such as Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Mariska Hargitay, Edie Falco and numerous other entertainment figures have regularly occupied courtside seats.

The support has extended beyond New York as well. Several celebrities have traveled to road games, demonstrating how this Knicks squad has generated national attention. Even high-profile personalities from outside the basketball world have joined the excitement during the team’s playoff journey.

Now, with Game 3 set to take place at Madison Square Garden, the spotlight is expected to shine brighter than ever.

Reports indicate that high-profile political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are expected to be among the notable attendees.

The heightened attention is a reflection of what the Knicks have accomplished.

New York enters Game 3 riding a remarkable 13-game playoff winning streak, one of the most impressive stretches in NBA postseason history. The team’s combination of resilience, star power and clutch performances has energized a fan base that has waited decades to witness a legitimate championship contender.

With the city buzzing, celebrities filling the arena and a chance to move within one victory of an NBA title, Madison Square Garden is preparing for one of the most memorable nights in franchise history.

For the Knicks, however, the focus remains unchanged.

Win Game 3, and the dream of ending a championship drought that stretches back to 1973 becomes more realistic than ever.