The defending-champion New York Knicks have issued a statement of support for Taylor Swift after reserve guard Tyler Kolek questioned her fandom.’Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden (MSG), and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization,’ an MSG spokesperson told The Daily Mail in a statement.Days earlier, Kolek named Swift as the team’s ‘fakest celebrity’ fan during a segment on the NBA 2K League’s ‘Deflected’ show.Back in June, Swift donned a custom, team-colored ‘Stevie Knicks’ t-shirt at MSG for New York’s epic Game 4 comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs. Kolek recalled seeing her there, but felt she was a late addition to the Knicks bandwagon.’I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,’ Kolek said.Although he appeared to agree, teammate Miles McBride did caution Kolek that ‘Swifties [are] not gonna like that answer.’ The defending-champion New York Knicks have issued a statement of support for Taylor Swift (pictured at 2026 NBA Finals) after reserve guard Tyler Kolek questioned her fandom Older wire show Swift hobnobbing with celebrity friends and Knicks fans during 2014 games at MSG. Here she has a beer with Karlie Closs, wife of soon-to-be Lakers owner Josh Kushner Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Amanda Seyfried, Taylor Swift and guest attend the Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2014 in New YorkAlas, the damage had been done. Swift’s legion of fans swarmed Kolek on social media, with many pointing out his meager playing time.’Taylor been to more Knicks games than you Tyler,’ one Swiftie wrote online, echoing a sentiment felt by countless others.Swift does have a history of attending Knicks games, particularly before she began dating Kansas City Chiefs star and Cleveland Cavaliers fan Travis Kelce. She did attend a Cavs-Knicks game with her then-fiancé in Cleveland but did so without wearing any team gear.Older wire photos do show Swift hobnobbing with celebrity friends and Knicks fans during 2014 games at MSG. In addition to having a beer with model Karlie Kloss, who is now married to soon-to-be Lakers owner Josh Kushner, Swift is also seen palling around with Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife Kate Upton, as well as actors Amanda Seyfried and Justin Long.Kolek’s criticism wasn’t limited to Swift, but to all celebrity fans who strive to be seen at MSG, where the singer wed Kelce back in July.’At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative, because they just want to be seen at the game,’ Kolek said. ‘They’re not necessarily fans.’ Knicks player Tyler Kolek picked Swift and called out ‘performative’ behavior at games Teammate Miles McBride nodded along in agreement but noted Swifties would not be happy Swift shares a laugh with two of the Knicks celebrity fans, John McEnroe and Ben StillerThe issue of Swift’s fandom has been raised before. MSG Network host Monica McNutt faced enormous backlash while covering Game 4 after saying Swift was ‘not a Knicks fan’ and should ‘get out of here, girl.’ Star Knicks guard Jalen Brunson later defended her from the wave of hate she received from Swift’s fans, concluding his locker room interview with McNutt in the locker room celebrations with a reference to the incident. ‘I just want to say something to the Swifties,’ Brunson told MSG Sports. ‘She’s a really good one. Cut her some slack. It’s all good. I promise.’McNutt later addressed her comments to TMZ Sports, saying: ‘I said what I said, and here’s the deal if I’m wrong, I am wrong apparently, because she’s got an OG Amar’e Stoudemire jersey.’I misspoke, I did not know, but here’s the deal. Context: I literally just did a piece on celebrity row (at Madison Square Garden). I’ve been with this organization for five years. I know these folks. Swift also watched the Knicks against her husband’s team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in May’Ben Stiller, his wife Christine, Spike Lee, Fat Joe. Like, I had not seen her here this year or last year and we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiance. Obviously, Travis (Kelce) supports the Cavs. ‘She didn’t have on any Knicks paraphernalia. So I did not know of her Knicks loyalty. …T-Swift, we could be united in orange and blue. Like, it’s fine.’The day after being at Madison Square Garden for the game, Swift attended the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York, where President of Universal Music Publishing, Evan Lamberg, was overheard thanking her for her support. ‘Thank you for our Knicks good luck, think you won the game for them,’ Lamberg said.