New York Knicks analyst Monica McNutt drew attention after making an on-air remark about Taylor Swift’s presence at Madison Square Garden before Game 5 of the NBA Finals. During a conversation with play-by-play announcer Tyler Murray on celebrity row, McNutt questioned Swift’s loyalty to the Knicks and said, “She’s not a Knicks fan, get out of here, girl.” The comment quickly spread online and sparked criticism from Swift’s fan base.
Less than 24 hours later, McNutt addressed the backlash in a TMZ street interview and apologized for what she said. She explained that she had not seen Swift at a Knicks game in recent years and was unaware that the pop star had long been a supporter of the team. McNutt said she had just covered celebrity row and was familiar with many of the regular high-profile faces at Knicks games, including Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Spike Lee and Fat Joe, but had not seen Swift at Madison Square Garden this season or last.
She also noted that Swift had recently been spotted at a Cleveland game with fiancé Travis Kelce, who supports the Cavaliers, and said Swift was not wearing any obvious Knicks gear at the time of the comment. McNutt added that once she learned Swift had Knicks ties, including an original Amar’e Stoudemire jersey, she acknowledged that she had misspoken. She ended the exchange on a friendly note, saying the two could still be “united in orange and blue.”
Swift’s Knicks fandom, however, is not new. In 2014, she told Time magazine that she had loved the team since performing in a halftime kids’ talent competition when she was 12 or 13. She also said she had formed a friendship with former Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire, reinforcing her long-standing connection to the franchise.
Swift’s appearance at the game also drew attention for her outfit and company. She wore a “Stevie Knicks” T-shirt and sat alongside friends Este and Alana Haim, who wore “Knickelback” and “Knickole Kidman” shirts. She was also seen enjoying the moment with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay.
Despite the online reaction, McNutt appeared unfazed by the incident. She said she knew the comment had become a major topic online, but insisted she was more focused on enjoying the game itself. The Knicks’ Game 5 matchup carried major stakes, as New York was one win away from clinching its first NBA title since 1973. The game was scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
