New York Knicks diehard fan Ben Stiller lost some street cred when he attended the 2026 Met Gala instead of the Knicks’ playoff game on Monday, May 4.
“If Ben Stiller picked the Met Gala over Game 1 of the Knicks game he may have to turn in his man card,” Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy posted via X.
Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina wrote, “Here’s what I need to know. Would Ben Stiller blow off tonight’s Knicks game for the Met Gala if it was Game 7 and not Game 1. Please answer @BenStiller. This is important. Thank you.”
Reality sunk in for some fans at the start of the game when it was confirmed that Stiller, 60, would not in fact be high-tailing it from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in order to make tip-off at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
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“Heartbreaking. Ben Stiller not included in the NBC shout out of stars at the Knicks game because he is at the #MetGala,” one fan wrote via X. “Devastating.”
Still, the Knicks were not far from Stiller’s mind when he walked the red carpet at the Met Gala alongside his wife, Christine Taylor.
Stiller wore an orange-and-blue tie in honor of the Knicks colors, while Taylor, 54, rocked a coordinating blue gown.
While making his way to the Met Gala, a fan yelled “Let’s Go Knicks” at Stiller, who responded, “I wish I was there.”
Once on the Met carpet, he held up six fingers to insinuate the Knicks winning the series over the 76ers in six games. Stiller told reporters he planned on watching the game on his phone once inside the event.
“My heart is at MSG,” Stiller told Entertainment Tonight.
While Stiller opted to attend the Gala, fellow Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet was courtside for the game, even while his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, was uptown at the Met.
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“Respect to Chalamet for picking the Knicks over the Met unlike Ben Stiller who was dragged to the Met instead of going to the Knicks game,” one fan wrote via X.
However, another Knicks supporter argued that Stiller’s spot in the Knicks’ hierarchy remains untouched.
“Does Chalamet go to regular season games?” the fan questioned. “Only seems to show up for the playoffs from what I’ve seen. Stiller is still top dawg.”
Ultimately, Stiller didn’t miss much of a game as the Knicks dominated the 76ers, 137-98. Game 2 is set for Wednesday, May 6, right back at Madison Square Garden, where Stiller is expected to be back courtside.
