While the World Cup kicked off in the US this week, America's attention is firmly on basketball. The NBA finals could end this weekend, with the New York Knicks vying for their first championship since 1973. Knicks fever has brought celebrity fan style to the forefront, especially courtside, where stars show support in unique ways.
Celebrity T-shirts and Custom Looks
For Wednesday's Game 4, won by the Knicks, Taylor Swift and Este and Alana Haim wore T-shirts in Knicks blue and orange with pop culture puns. Swift's read "Stevie Knicks," Este's "Knickeback," and Alana's "Knickole Kidman." According to Vogue, Alana made the shirts herself. Other celebrities opted for custom designs. Timothée Chalamet, a longtime Knicks fan, sported a Chrome Hearts Knicks orange tracksuit and double denim with orange accents, often accompanied by partner Kylie Jenner. A$AP Rocky wore a satin Saint Laurent Knicks orange ensemble, calling himself "a good luck charm."
Basketball as a Fashion Runway
Basketball has long influenced fashion, with players showcasing experimental outfits before games. Adam Cheung, style writer at GQ, notes that the 2026 NBA finals have become "the ultimate runway," where fashion often overshadows the game itself. Players like Victor Wembanyama and Jordan Clarkson are style icons, challenging celebrities to match their vibe. "Famous people can no longer show up in just anything; they have to match the vibe the athletes are putting out," Cheung says.
The Role of Social Media
Online culture amplifies fashion moments. "Swift and Chalamet perfectly capture the zeitgeist of memeable fashion," Cheung explains. "We are entrenched in an era where fashion is designed to go as viral as possible. It's no longer just about looking good, it's about creating imagery that spreads like wildfire across Instagram and TikTok."
And if supporting the team with style leads to glory, so much the better.
