Actor Ben Stiller skipped a New York Knicks playoff game to attend the 2026 Met Gala [1].

The decision highlights the tension between celebrity social obligations and the intense loyalty expected of fans in the New York sports market. For a longtime Knicks supporter, missing a high-stakes postseason game is often viewed as a betrayal by the fan base.

Stiller missed Game 1 [4] of the NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals [2] on Monday night. The Knicks were facing the Philadelphia 76ers [3] at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Stiller later attended the Met Gala on Wednesday [5] in the same city.

Despite his absence from the arena, Stiller said he followed the action via his mobile device. He watched the game on his phone while preparing for the fashion event.

Stiller acknowledged that his choice to prioritize the gala over the game might be poorly received by other supporters. "I think I'm gonna get some s--- for this," Stiller said [1]. He later said, "I chose to attend the Met Gala over being at Madison Square Garden" [2].

The actor expressed a mix of apprehension and indifference regarding the public reaction. While he said he was scared of the backlash, he also said, "I couldn't care less about your thoughts" [1].

This incident follows a pattern of high-profile celebrities balancing the visibility of New York's cultural elite events with the grassroots passion of its professional sports teams. Stiller's admission of fear regarding fan reaction underscores the unique pressure placed on celebrity fans in the U.S. sports landscape.

“"I think I'm gonna get some s--- for this."”

The situation illustrates the cultural divide between the 'red carpet' celebrity world and the tribalism of professional sports. By acknowledging the potential for backlash, Stiller recognizes that in the eyes of sports fans, presence at a game is a measure of authenticity and loyalty that outweighs the prestige of a global fashion event.