Ben Stiller chose fashion over basketball on Monday night, and the internet had a lot to say about it.
The longtime New York Knicks superfan attended the 2026 Met Gala instead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, and the backlash came hard and fast.
Dan Patrick Show Puts Ben Stiller on Blast
GettyBen Stiller at 2026 Met Gala
The Dan Patrick Show jumped on the moment quickly, tweeting: “Ben Stiller opting for the Met Gala over Knicks Game 1 is…” with two options: “No big deal” and “Weak.”
As of this writing, “Weak” has more clicks, and it’s hard to argue with the fans on this one. Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports piled on too, posting, “If Ben Stiller picked the Met Gala over Game 1 of the Knicks game, he may have to turn in his man card.”
When the social media pile-on reached him, he responded on X with a blunt four words: “Bring it. I know who I am.”
He also showed up to the Met carpet repping Knicks colors and flashed six fingers, boldly predicting the New York Knicks would take the series over the 76ers in six.
— Ben Stiller at the Met Gala
Timothée Chalamet Chose the New York Knicks Over the Met Gala
GettyTimothée Chalamet attended Knicks game
While Stiller was posing for cameras at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, another Knicks superfan, Timothée Chalamet, made the opposite call; he skipped the Met Gala entirely and showed up courtside at Madison Square Garden.
This is actually the second straight year Chalamet has ditched the Met Gala to support the Knicks in the playoffs, cementing his reputation as a true ride-or-die fan.
His girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, was at the Gala, but Chalamet chose the Knicks, and MSG rewarded him with a 39-point blowout win.
New York Knicks Crush Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1
GettyJoel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers works against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks
The New York Knicks made Stiller miss this good game. New York dismantled the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 at Madison Square Garden in a dominant, wire-to-wire victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Jalen Brunson was unstoppable, dropping 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting with a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line, scoring 27 of those points in the first half alone.
The Knicks shot a scorching 63% from the field and 51% from three, while holding Philadelphia to just 41% shooting and forcing 19 turnovers.
The Knicks led the game 91% of the time and held a largest lead of 40 points it was a statement game in every sense. OG Anunoby added energy on both ends, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed his usual two-way presence, and the entire roster looked locked in.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday, May 6, back at Madison Square Garden, and this time, Stiller joked that he “has to go to the Met ball Wednesday,” acknowledging the backlash to Game 1 with some self-aware humor.
Ben Stiller Fires Back After Skipping Knicks Game 1 for Met Gala