Taylor Swift Branded 'Performative' By Knicks Player — But The Team Has Her Back
Taylor Swift is apparently stirring up courtside drama with the NBA. In a November 4 TikTok livestream with NBA 2K League that's now on YouTube, New York Knicks player Tyler Kolek called the singer out. During the stream with Knicks teammate Miles James "Deuce" McBride, they were asked who they thought was the fakest celebrity fan sitting courtside at NBA games. The answer was pretty simple for Kolek, who first thought of the "Patient Zero" singer. "At the Knicks games, I would say it's very performative ... like they just want to be seen at the game, they're not necessarily fans. Maybe Taylor Swift? I don't know if I've seen her at any other games," Kolek pointed out.
McBride agreed with his teammate's assessment but acknowledged the take may be controversial. "Swifties [are] not gonna like that answer," McBride responded before praising celebrities like Ben Stiller and Tracey Morgan for being real fans. Ironically, Swift had actually attended a Knicks game with Stiller at Madison Square Garden back in 2014. "I'm going to get some hate from the Swifties," Kolek realized. "I guess she's got a lot going on so she can't come all the time, but ... it's a little performative."
Despite the players' claims, Swift has had a longstanding connection with the New York City-based team. In fact, Swift and Travis Kelce hosted their own high-profile wedding at Madison Square Garden, which is the team's home arena. Swift and Kelce also shared one of their worst-dressed moments as a couple at Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in May 2026. While her Cleveland Heights-born partner was supporting the Cavaliers and sporting a team hat, the singer did not rep either team during the game.
Many came to Taylor Swift's defense over sports controversies
Taylor Swift is no stranger to upsetting sports fans. She has already spent several years being the target of complaints and jokes about ruining football at Kansas City Chiefs games. While fans have complained about all the ways Swift changed the NFL, she continues to cheer on her partner and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. "I'm just there to support Travis," Swift said during her 2023 Time cover story. "I have no awareness of if I'm being shown too much and p*ssing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads." Others have come to her defense, including NBA legend Charles Barkley. "If you're screaming at Taylor Swift saying she ruined [football], you're just a loser. You're just a loser or a jack*ss," he told CNN in 2024.
The latest controversial comments from New York Knicks players Tyler Kolek and Miles James "Deuce" McBride further demonstrate Swift's ability to ruffle sports fans' feathers. A spokesperson for the New York Knicks has already spoken out to defend the singer and make it clear that the team has her back. "Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization," the spokesperson told People.
Online users were also quick to defend the superstar. "What does it serve [Kolek] to say something negative about Taylor tho?" one user commented on the controversial YouTube interview. "I don't think she's fake about it. She's been to games before he was on the team. But also, who's she hurting?? She's drawing attention to your sport bro. No need to be rude and arrogant about it. Just makes you look bad for no reason."