Alana Haim Responds to Criticism Over Her Knicks Fandom

Alana Haim embraced her Los Angeles roots while openly cheering for the New York Knicks at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, where she appeared courtside with Taylor Swift and her sisters, Danielle and Este Haim. Despite criticism from some fans who accused the group of jumping on the Knicks bandwagon, the musician and actress said she has no issue supporting New York while remaining a Lakers fan.

In an interview with Vogue published on June 11, Alana, 34, said she loves both cities and sees no reason for hostility between them. She described the game as an unforgettable moment and called it possibly “the greatest basketball game ever played,” adding that she hoped the Knicks would win the championship. The Knicks delivered a historic comeback in Game 4, overcoming a 29-point deficit — the largest in NBA Finals history — to beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 and move within one win of their first title since 1973.

The night also drew attention because of the group’s custom Knicks-themed shirts, which Alana made by hand. Each shirt featured a playful pop culture pun: Alana wore “Knickelback,” Este wore “Knickole Kidman,” Danielle wore “Knickolas Cage,” and Swift wore “Stevie Knicks.” The matching looks quickly became a talking point online and among basketball viewers.

Alana said the shirt idea began with Swift, who texted her asking if she could make one for the game. The request, Alana said, was exactly the kind of message an amateur screen printer would hope to receive. She explained that the two bounced around ideas and settled on the puns because they wanted to have fun, make people laugh, and show their excitement for the event.

Beyond this one-off game-night project, Alana said the experience inspired her to encourage others to try making their own crafts and custom shirts. She described herself as someone with many unfinished art projects, joking that her creative history includes everything from needlepoint to bedazzling. For her, the handmade shirts were less about fashion and more about enjoying a playful, creative outlet with friends.

The appearance of Swift and the Haim sisters at the Finals sparked mixed reactions, but Alana brushed off the criticism. She emphasized that sports rivalries do not have to divide people and said there is “no animosity” between New York and Los Angeles. For Alana, the evening was simply a celebration of basketball, friendship, and creativity — and a memorable way to support a team on the verge of a championship.