Ben Stiller and Spike Lee gave Knicks fans a familiar sight in unfamiliar territory as New York opened the NBA Finals with a statement win in San Antonio.
Frost Bank Center was never going to feel like Madison Square Garden, but the Knicks’ celebrity crowd still traveled well. Game 1 became part basketball showcase and part New York culture roll call.
That mattered because the Knicks had not played in the Finals since 1999. For longtime fans, seeing those faces courtside made the moment feel bigger than one road game.
Ben Stiller and Spike Lee make Knicks Finals presence felt
The clip shared by SNY Knicks captured Stiller and Lee among the traveling New York faces who turned Game 1 into a reminder of how deeply this run has hit the city.
Lee was always expected to be there. He has been the Knicks’ most recognizable celebrity supporter for decades, and this was their first Finals game in 27 years.
Stiller’s presence carried the same energy. He has been a regular part of this playoff run, and his trip to San Antonio showed how much the moment meant beyond the Garden.
They were not alone. Tracy Morgan, Timothée Chalamet, John Turturro and Henrik Lundqvist were also among the notable Knicks supporters spotted at the opener.
Knicks stars reward celebrity fans with Game 1 win
New York gave their traveling crowd a real show. The Knicks beat the Spurs 105-95 after erasing a 14-point second-half deficit.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 30 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby’s fourth-quarter shot-making also helped swing the game.
The Spurs had their own familiar faces in the building. Gregg Popovich, David Robinson, Manu Ginóbili and Robert Horry were part of San Antonio’s Finals scene.
Tori Kelly performed the national anthem before the game, while Patrick Ewing and Gary Payton added more basketball history courtside.
New York now leads the series 1-0, and the celebrity spotlight will only grow when the Finals shift to Madison Square Garden.
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