Taylor Swift gets Knicks’ support after Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride question her loyalty

Taylor Swift may have found herself in a little basketball drama, and this time, it is coming from the very team she was cheering for! The pop superstar was recently called out by two New York Knicks players, who questioned whether she was a genuine supporter of the team or simply enjoying the spotlight at Madison Square Garden.But just when it looked like the singer would have to deal with the criticism on her own, the Knicks organization stepped in with a public show of support. And its response made one thing clear: the team is not ready to let anyone question Swift’s loyalty so easily.Tyler Kolek and Deuce McBride question Taylor Swift’s Knicks loyaltyThe drama began during an NBA 2K League livestream on Thursday when Knicks guards Tyler Kolek and Miles “Deuce” McBride were asked to name the “fakest” celebrity fan they had seen at a Knicks game.Kolek did not take long to bring Swift into the conversation.“Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” he said.The basketball player suggested that some celebrities attend games because they want to be seen rather than because they genuinely support the team. He also acknowledged that Swift has a busy schedule and cannot attend every game, but still described her appearances as “a little performative.”McBride appeared to agree with his teammate, although he quickly realized that the answer might not go down well with the singer’s massive fanbase.“Swifties not gonna like that answer,” he joked.Kolek also seemed aware that he could be inviting some backlash, admitting that he might get hate from Swift’s fans. Well, he was certainly not wrong about one thing: questioning Taylor Swift’s loyalty is rarely going to go unnoticed by the Swifties!Knicks officially defend Taylor Swift after players’ commentsHowever, the Knicks organization was not quite on the same page as its players. Following the comments, the team issued a statement defending the Grammy-winning singer and making it clear that she has been a supporter for years.“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 statement read.The response was a pretty direct defense of Swift, especially after Kolek suggested that he had not seen her at many games. Instead of questioning her commitment, the organization highlighted her long-standing connection with the team and the iconic New York arena.And the Knicks do have a point. Swift’s connection with the team did not begin during its latest championship run. The singer has been spotted at Knicks games dating back to 2014, long before Kolek joined the franchise. Her most recent high-profile appearance came during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 10.Swift arrived in an orange-and-blue shirt with the words “Stevie Knicks” printed on it, cheering alongside Este and Alana Haim. The Knicks went on to win the game 107-106, making it a memorable night for the team and its celebrity supporters. She had also attended an Eastern Conference Finals game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with her husband, Travis Kelce, earlier in the postseason.So, while Kolek and McBride may have their own opinions about which celebrities show up regularly, the Knicks have made their position clear. And with the organization publicly backing Swift, this little courtside controversy has turned into an unexpected debate about what it really means to be a celebrity fan.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.