Key Takeaways
- Ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, look back at the 10 most iconic New York Knicks courtside outfits ever, celebrating MSG’s Celebrity Row as a runway for rappers, rockstars, actors, and diehard locals.
- Looks range from classic ’90s moments like Spike Lee in a John Starks jersey and Prince in all-white leather to 2000s streetwear staples like Jay-Z’s BAPE hoodie and Timotheé Chalamet’s custom Chrome Hearts look in 2025.
- Other stylish celebrities like Bad Bunny, Fat Joe, and 50 Cent underline how Knicks games turn MSG into a stage for celebrity style moments.
The New York Knicks are two wins away from an NBA championship. In just a few hours, Jalen Brunson and company play their first home game of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Pandemonium will surely ensue for Game 3, on the floor and in the Manhattan streets. We will also be keeping our eyes peeled to see how some of the celebrities will be dressed courtside to cheer on their favorite team.
Journeys to Texas saw Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and more diehard celebrity fans stealing seats in San Antonio, peppering the Frost Bank Center with blue and orange for Games 1 and 2. The away-game absurdity impressed, but we all know Madison Square Garden’s six-figure seats on James Dolan’s Celebrity Row are where rappers really stunt, rock stars rebel, and big-screen stars act like big kids. Knicks fever in New York City had us reminiscing on all of the insane fits we’ve seen at MSG over the years.
From Fat Joe to Timotheé Chalamet, these are the 10 best New York Knicks courtside outfits of all time.
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is a true New Yorker and a Knicks fanatic. So, the 30 Rock star pulling up to 34th Street in an oversized gold dookie rope, an Immanuel Quickley jersey, and the golden eagle cuff coined by Ghostface Killah wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was the pair of MSCHF’s mega viral Big Red Boots that he was rocking on foot. Quickley scored a game-high 24 points in a home win against the Heat. Maybe Morgan’s boots gave him the extra boost?
Lenny Kravitz
The above photo of Lenny Kravitz is from 2026. The above outfit could very well have been worn by Lenny Kravitz in 1996 or 2006. The rocker’s uniform of a fishnet tank, fitted leather jacket, oversized belt buckle, and flared jeans proved perfect playoff attire for Kravitz. In true rockstar fashion, the sunglasses stayed on all game.
Jay-Z
Not every New Yorker rocks blue and orange at the Garden. Case in point, this Jay-Z fit from 2006 that features one of the most coveted streetwear items of the era. Hov paired his signature Yankee fitted with a full-zip BAPE hoodie.
Known for his insane watch collection, here he accessorized with an iced-out timepiece. The watch’s white leather strap matched that of his signature Reebok S. Carter Basketball IIIs: the shoes on his feet and those of Knicks guard Jamal Crawford. When watching basketball at Madison Square Garden became too boring, he bought the nearby New Jersey Nets and moved them to his birthplace of Brooklyn. Now, you’d be more likely to see Jay-Z courtside at the Barclays Center.
ASAP Rocky
Early on in the midst of the At. Long. Last. ASAP rollout, ASAP Rocky returned to New York City after recording in London. On New Year’s Eve, he debuted the long-awaited sequel to his "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2" single, seemingly shooting the video a day later and attending a Knicks game in the same sprint.
Gold jewelry and diamond fronts accented the Rick Owens aficionado, complete with his era-appropriate slim black jeans, icy white tee, drapey vest, and one-bang braids. A fur coat kept it Harlem in a rare MSG outing for the PMF.
John McEnroe
John McEnroe is a tennis tyrant who’s had his pick of free Nikes since Reagan was in office. On this particular night in 1994, he left the Air Trainers in the closet in favor of a tried-and-true menswear classic, the Chelsea boot. He paired the British boots with a Canadian tuxedo. The moment predated hashtags by 20-plus years, but would still look good on 20-to 40-something guys over 30 years later.
Bad Bunny
Did Bad Bunny and Susie Essman plan on matching in May? Making the most of leather weather in New York and the Knicks in the playoffs, Benito balled out in MSG days before hosting SNL. A vintage 1994 snapback cap, tinted glasses, decadent jewelry, and oversized shorts set the stage for his bright gold Adidas Ballerina collaborative kicks. Bastante bien.
Fat Joe & 50 Cent
There was a time when Fat Joe and 50 Cent were embroiled in rap beef and prone to wear bulletproof vests under Champion Super Hoodies in case they’d cross paths. Thankfully, those times have passed.
A Yuletide miracle, the longtime foes sat courtside on Christmas Day in 2023, each rocking robust furs and accessories from Louis Vuitton. The veteran MCs each kicked back in crazy sneakers too, Alshon Jefferey Air Jordan 11 PEs for Joe and Virgil Abloh-approved LV Trainers for 50.
Prince
Prince’s last public appearance before his passing was at a Golden State Warriors game in 2016, where he popped out in a shimmering blue set, embroidered black leather gloves, a picked-out afro, and a bedazzled cane.
Two decades prior, the Paisley Park pop idol sat courtside in Madison Square Garden, joined by then-wife Mayte Garcia. The timing aligned with a Versace partnership. At Paris Fashion Week in 1995, the Italian luxury house handed out limited-edition mixtape cassettes by the artist who switched his name to a symbol. In 1996, Prince attended a Bulls vs. Knicks game in custom attire and the label’s signature shades, the latter of which he wore on stage for the entire Jam of the Year Tour.
Timotheé Chalamet
Timmy Tim hasn’t been shy about his lifelong allegiance to the Knicks. Through a variety of vintage Knicks pieces and custom Chrome Hearts everything, he’s also turned the sideline at MSG into his own personal fashion show every time he attends a game.
The signature fit - though there are many - is still the team-toned Chrome Hearts cross patch jeans and matching varsity leather jacket. Flexing at Game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, the gaudy goth status symbol rebranded in bright orange and varsity royal placed this outfit in a class of its own.
Spike Lee
Spike Lee lives the dream of all New Yorkers who grew up idolizing the Knicks. As the Knicks evolve and superstars come and go, the legendary director has been the constant. Not only did he work his way up to sideline seats, but he also plays the role of superfan perfectly, draped in game gear, appearing as the spiritual sixth man.
The archive of Spike’s courtside fits is in the hundreds, maybe even thousands. But all pale in comparison to this one from 1994. An authentic John Starks jersey, team-issued towel, clean snapback, and recently released Air Jordan 9s outfitted Lee. The timeless look oozes fly, down to his white Nike crew socks.
