Related Post
The stars descended on Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks face the Miami Heat in a do-or-die Game 5 clash – and New York did not disappoint.
The famous arena was once again filled with Hollywood’s finest as they used the court as their very own red carpet to watch the Knicks stave off playoff elimination.
New York put on a show worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster as the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Chris Rock and tennis legend John McEnroe were treated to Jalen Brunson’s relentless 38-point performance.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe swapped the court for the stands as the former tennis star was spotted arriving at The Garden in a yellow and white Knicks cap.
McEnroe grew up in New York as a Knicks fan, even decorating the inside cover of his 2017 book ‘But Seriously’ with with ticket stubs from games at the arena, including a previous playoff clash.
The Knicks and Jalen Brunson (Center) put on a show for and A-List crowd Wednesday
Tennis legend and Knicks fan John McEnroe led the stars attending Madison Square Garden
Model Emily Ratajkowski was also seen courtside watching the Knicks beat the Miami Heat
The controversial, yet beloved, athlete has had a front seat to the action for previous playoff showdowns this season, attending Game 3 of the Knicks’ opening series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He also has caught some West Coast action, watching the LA Lakers, owned by pal Jeannie Buss, who he befriended while training in Los Angeles during the early-to-mid 1980s, earn their spot in the playoffs with a play-in win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
McEnroe will have been pleased to have seen his Knicks keep their season alive and hold of the threat of elimination – for now – thanks to Brunson’s mind-blowing, and likely exhausting, display.
Brunson put up 38 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while playing all 48 minutes in a season-extending performance, carrying New York to a vital victory.
Other familiar faces were also in attendance at Madison Square Garden, with comedian Chris Rock returning for Game 5.
The actor, 58, had cheered on the Knicks in Game 3 with friends Dave Chapelle and Tracy Morgan, alongside actress Jessica Alba.
Wednesday he sat next to singer Ciara and her son Future Zahir, who she shares with ex-fiancee, rapper Future.
The songstress, who may be more acquainted with the NFL than the NBA due to her marriage to Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, smiled and waved for the cameras as she soaked up the courtside limelight.
McEnroe grew up in New York as a Knicks fan and has been seen at previous playoff games
Comedian Chris Rock was another familiar face returning to MSG for Game 5 of the series
Singer Ciara (left) and son Future Zahir (right) smiled and waved for the cameras
The songstress opted for a white Mamba No. 2 jersey, in honor of the later Kobe Bryant
The 37-year-old opted not to rep the Knicks with her outfit choice, instead donning a white Mamba No. 2 jersey, the sports academy late Lakers star Kobe Bryant launched in 2018 and the team his daughter Gigi played for before their tragic deaths in 2020.
Emily Ratajkowski turned out for New York, showing her support in a Knicks’ bomber-style jacket in the team’s iconic bold blue and orange colors.
The model also donned a T-shirt featuring a photo of actress Megan Fox from her 2009 horror-comedy Jennifer’s Body with low-rise baggy jeans that put her toned midriff on display.
Inside the arena the 31-year-old sat courtside, soaking up the action with close friend and talk show host Ziwe.
New Jersey natives, the Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick, rocked up at Madison Square Garden ahead of their concerts at another iconic New York sporting venue, Yankee Stadium, in August.
Michael J. Fox, 61, was joined by wife Tracy Pollan, 62, as they sat courtside next to Ciara and her eight-year-old son.
The actor – who recently opened up about the pain of living with Parkinson’s disease – sported a casual cool look, wearing a black T-shirt, jeans and a matching jacket, while his wife looked chic in a geometric print short sleeve top.
Meanwhile Stranger Things actor David Harbour spent time bonding with his step-daughter, daughter of wife Lily Allen, Marnie, who sported shocking blue hair for the NBA matchup.
Ratajkowski soaked up the action with close friend and talk show host Ziwe (left)
The 31-year-old showed her support in a Knicks’ bomber-style jacket in the team’s iconic colors
New Jersey natives the Jonas Brothers rocked up at MSG ahead of their Yankee Stadium shows
Stranger Things actor David Harbour spent time bonding with his step-daughter Marnie (left)
Michael J. Fox (center) was joined by wife Tracy Pollan (left) as they sat courtside
Swapping on-screen drama for an on-court thriller, the A-Listers were treated to a show as the Knicks hit all the right plot points.
The Knicks denied the Heat’s first attempt to become just the second No. 8 seed to reach the conference finals and sent the series back to Miami for Game 6 on Friday night.
RJ Barrett added 26 points and Julius Randle had 24 for the fifth-seeded Knicks, who stayed alive in hopes of reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2000.
They did that by getting by the Heat in seven games in the second round, a possibility that still exists.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler had 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Miami, getting held below 25 points for the first time in this postseason.
But the Knicks’ hard-work doesn’t end there. They face another do-or-die clash, this time on enemy turf.
Still trailing 2-3, New York must pull off another spectacular save Friday to stop the Heat stealing the series and it will have to do it without its army of celebrity supporters.
