New York Knicks superfan Ben Stiller had his loyalty questioned when he attended the Met Gala on Monday instead of sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Several Knicks fans on social media blasted the Hollywood legend for choosing a high-profile fashion exhibition over a Knicks playoff game. The criticism grew even louder since actor Timothée Chalamet proved his loyalty to the Knicks by skipping the Met Gala to watch Jalen Brunson and Co. square off against the Sixers.
Stiller has finally explained his side of the story.
“It was a tough one for me,” Stiller said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, via Entertainment Weekly.
“It’s been a really interesting experience because I didn’t think anybody really would care that much about whether or not I was there.”
Knicks – Met Gala Controversy
Stiller noted that he and his wife, Christine Taylor, were in a tough spot when the Knicks vs. 76ers schedule was released, as they had already committed to attending the Met Gala over three months ago. The actor admittedly considered skipping the fashion event, but ultimately didn’t want to break a promise to a friend.
“A friend of mine invited us three months ago, and as the dates were coming up, of course, you don’t know what the playoff dates are gonna be as they come up.
“And about a week before, I started to see this, because I thought I’d thought of every other permutation in terms of clearing my schedule for playoff games, and [the Met Gala] was there. And honestly, it’s a very good friend who got the table, who I felt, as a friend, it would be lame to cancel on our friend.”
In fairness to Stiller, he showed support for his beloved basketball team from the Met Gala red carpet when he threw up a “Knicks in 6” sign.
Ben Stiller Attends Knicks Game 2
Stiller also explained why Timothée Chalamet could afford to miss the Met Gala, noting that the young actor is invited to the high-profile event every year, unlike him.
“I don’t get invited to the Met Gala,” Stiler added.
“Timothée gets invited to the Met Gala every year. The last time I was invited was 10 years ago, by the same friend who bought the table, and we went with him 10 years ago. And then we went with him once before like 20 years ago. I’m not that guy!”
The Hollywood legend was showered with cheers when he returned to MSG for Game 2 on Wednesday, which ended with the Knicks seizing a 2-0 series lead.
Ben Stiller has arrived for Knicks vs 76ers Game 2.
Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3 tips off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. The series shifts to Philadelphia after the Knicks retained home advantage with a 2-0 series lead in the first two games. New York, just two wins away from back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, is the betting favorite to end its 26-year NBA Finals drought.
Ben Stiller Breaks Silence on Knicks-Met Gala Controversy