The Knicks’ famous fans were out in force to see the 2025-26 NBA champions receive their rings and open up the season, with the hopes of successfully defending their title.
Many of the celebs who took in the Knicks’ playoff run last spring returned on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden as Spike Lee showed off his usual flair for the team, sporting an orange-and-blue pinstriped suit, along with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, comedian Tracy Morgan and actor Ben Stiller.
76ers on Oct. 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Getty Images
Hargitay was seen giving Morgan a big hug during the pre-game show, while Stiller was seen in the background snapping a photo.
“I know I’m going to cry tonight,” Morgan told “NBA Showtime” ahead of the game. “Been a long time and then we going to turn the page. It’s time to defend now. .. We going to run it back. … I’m not scared. We not scared of nobody.”
Other celebs on hand included Fat Joe, Edie Falco, Steve Schirripa, John Turturro, Action Bronson and Sam Morril.
Jordyn Woods, who tied the knot with Karl-Anthony Towns in August, was courtside for the game, with a gold bag in honor of ring knight.
Singer Bon Jovi was courtside for the game, along with NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell.
Mets owner Steve Cohen was seen at the game, and failed presidential candidate Chris Christie was spotted in the stands.
One notable star was not there for the ceremony: “Dune” star Timothée Chalamet.
Chalamet had been one of the Knicks’ biggest A-list fans making trips to New York and various road games during the championship run.
“The Knicks fan base needs to be studied and observed. We move,” Morgan said. “We take over stadiums. We take it over. What the Knicks did doesn’t go down in basketball. That happens in soccer. We pulled four million people together and we got a glimpse of greatness.”
