There’s nothing quite like the electric atmosphere of Madison Square Garden on a Friday night during the NBA playoffs, and Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers was no exception. With the spotlight on the hardwood, it was the celebrity-studded courtside that added an extra layer of glamour to the high-stakes matchup.
Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy-winning artist Ciara, turned heads as they arrived in matching denim outfits and sunglasses, embodying the kind of cool confidence typically reserved for red carpets. The couple took their seats courtside, where A-listers and longtime Knicks supporters gathered to watch the Knicks look to even the series after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 1.
Knicks superfans Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, and Ben Stiller were back in their familiar courtside spots, cheering on their team with trademark enthusiasm. Chalamet attended solo this time around, following an earlier appearance this month with girlfriend Kylie Jenner during Game 4 of the Knicks-Celtics series.
Comedian Tracy Morgan made an early entrance, chatting with players during warmups before settling in alongside iconic actors Bill Murray and Michael J. Fox. The trio added a nostalgic charm to the night, drawing attention from fans and players alike.
Singer Maggie Rogers brought her own style to the evening, repping the home team in a bold Knicks varsity jacket. Actors Jerry O’Connell and Justin Long were all smiles as they snapped a selfie in their Knicks gear, which O’Connell proudly posted on X with the caption: “BING BONG. MUST WIN,” a nod to the fan-favorite rally cry that’s become synonymous with the Knicks’ recent resurgence.
With a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals unfolding on the court — a series the Pacers edged out in seven games — the buzz at MSG was undeniable. As the game played out, Celebrity Row served as a who’s who of entertainment, accessible only to the most high-profile stars through exclusive invitation.
The energy at the Garden is set to shift westward as the series moves to Indianapolis, with Game 3 set for Sunday and Game 4 on Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But on this night, under the bright lights of New York City, basketball and pop culture collided in spectacular fashion, reaffirming Madison Square Garden’s reputation as the most famous arena in the world.
