New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson recently addressed the scrutiny around Taylor Swift’s New York Knicks courtside appearance during the 2026 NBA Finals which generated online buzz.
In response to the backlash the country artist and Swifties have received, he discourages the negative criticism online, saying:
“I just want to say something to the Swifties: She’s a really good one. Cut her some slack. It’s all good, I promise.”
Swift attended the Knicks’ playoff run around Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. She was seen seated courtside during the game alongside her friends, Alana and Este Haim.
Her presence prompted mixed reactions with people questioning the authenticity of her Knicks fandom. Lead radio analyst for the Knicks, Monica McNutt, received backlash when she questioned Swift’s presence, prompting a controversial hot-mic moment.
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Jalen Brunson’s wife Ali Brunson and Shannon Hart defend Taylor Swift’s support for the New York Knicks
Ali Brunson, wife of Jalen Brunson and Shannon Hart, wife of Josh Hart came to the defense of Taylor Swift after her recent appearance during the 2026 NBA Finals.
Swift was spotted with her friends, Alana and Este Haim wearing matching custom Knicks T-shirts featuring puns: Swift’s read “Stevie Knicks” while the sisters wore “Knickelback” and “Knickole Kidman.” They joined actress Mariska Hargitay as they cheered loudly after the Knicks mounted a historic 29 point comeback victory.
While speaking to US Weekly Jalen Brunson’s wife described Swift’s presence as “awesome” as she wore custom T shirts as she sat next to Mariska. She called them a “dynamic duo” and concluded by adding that Swift is a “true fan.”
Noting Swift’s enthusiasm, Shannon echoed Ali’s views and said:
“Just seeing how into the game she was, that was really cool… Jumping up and down, hugging each other.”
Speaking on his victory, Jalen Brunson said:
“I was just trying to go out there, just will us to win. Wasn’t focused on anything else besides trying to win the game. Getting stops. Getting out and running. Just figuring out how to cut that lead or to gain it when we got it.”
Recently, Jalen Brunson showed his support for Swift, defending her and her fanbase against critics. He publicly questioned Swifties to cut her some slack when they questioned her Knicks fandom. The singer was spotted courtside cheering wildly for Brunson during the Knicks’ NBA Finals run.
Monica McNutt was caught on a hot mic during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals while preparing for the coverage. McNutt was overheard saying to her colleague Tyler Murray upon spotting Swift on celebrity row:
“Is that Taylor Swift? She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl.”
This led to backlash from Swifties who highlighted Swift’s longtime support for the Knicks. In 2014 the Opalite singer attended multiple Knicks games which established her fandom for the team. In a Time magazine interview that year, she stated her affinity for the team, stating that she had always loved the Knicks and thinks that “Amar’e is so cool.”
In an interview with TMZ, McNutt apologized for her statement, admitting that she misspoke. She said:
“Swifties, I appreciate your passion. I said what I said and here’s the deal, if I’m wrong — and I am wrong apparently because we’ve got an OG Amar’e Stoudemire jersey. I misspoke.”
With her statement, McNutt referred to an old photo of Swift from 2014 posing on the court with former New York Knicks players Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony while wearing Stoudemire’s jersey.
Edited by Aastha Dass