Madison Square Garden was the place to be Saturday night as the New York Knicks tipped off their first‑round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks – and the celebrity row looked like a who’s who of New York royalty. Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, actor‑director Ben Stiller, tennis legend John McEnroe, and Knicks icons Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Latrell Sprewell and Stephon Marbury all took in the Knicks’ 113‑102 Game 1 victory.
Schlittler, the 24‑year‑old right‑hander who emerged as the Yankees’ postseason hero last October, received a loud ovation when he was shown on the Garden scoreboard during the first half. Just hours earlier, Schlittler had helped the Yankees rout the Royals in The Bronx – a double dose of New York playoff baseball and basketball in one day.
“It’s a special feeling to be part of this city’s playoff energy,” Schlittler told reporters after the game. “The Garden was rocking tonight.”
The Knicks, who finished the regular season as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, took control early against the No. 6 Hawks. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 31 points, while Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18 points and 14 rebounds. The win gave New York a 1‑0 lead in the best‑of‑seven series.
A Who’s Who of New York Celebrities
The celebrity row at center court was packed with familiar faces:
- Ben Stiller – The actor and director, a courtside regular, was seen chatting with fellow fans during timeouts.
- John McEnroe – The tennis great and lifelong Knicks fan was animated throughout, reacting to every call.
- Jordyn Woods – The model was spotted entering the Garden before tip‑off.
- Knicks royalty – Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Latrell Sprewell and Stephon Marbury all returned to their old stomping grounds, each receiving standing ovations when acknowledged on the scoreboard.
The Garden crowd, already famous for its intensity, rose to another level with so many stars in attendance.
Cam Schlittler: From Playoff Hero to Courtside Fan
Schlittler’s presence was especially notable. The 2022 Yankees draft pick out of Northeastern University burst onto the national scene last October when he pitched an eight‑inning gem against the Boston Red Sox to clinch the American League Wild Card Series. He finished the 2025 regular season with a 14‑6 record and a 3.21 ERA, establishing himself as a frontline starter.
On Saturday afternoon, Schlittler allowed just two runs over six innings against the Royals, striking out seven. He then raced from Yankee Stadium to Madison Square Garden, arriving in time for tip‑off.
“I grew up watching Knicks playoff games on TV,” Schlittler said. “To be here in person, right after a win of my own – it’s a dream.”
Knicks-Hawks: A Playoff Rivalry Renewed
The Knicks and Hawks have history. In the 2021 playoffs, a young Trae Young led Atlanta to a stunning first‑round upset over the No. 4 seed Knicks, famously shushing the Garden crowd after a game‑winner. Young became a villain in New York overnight.
But Young was traded to the Washington Wizards midway through the 2025‑26 season, leaving the Hawks without their former nemesis. Atlanta now relies on a backcourt of CJ McCollum (acquired at the deadline) and Dejounte Murray, but they struggled to contain Brunson and the Knicks’ offense in Game 1.
“There’s no Trae Young to worry about,” Brunson said after the game. “But we’re not taking anything for granted. They’re a good team.”
Other Celebrities in the House
Beyond the stars mentioned, the Garden attracted a broad cross‑section of New York culture:
- Music industry insiders – Several hip‑hop artists and producers were spotted in luxury suites, though their names were not released.
- Former Knicks – In addition to Ewing, Frazier, Sprewell and Marbury, other alumni such as Charles Oakley and John Starks were reportedly in attendance, though not shown on the broadcast.
- Local politicians – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was seen shaking hands in a private box, a rare political cameo at a sporting event.
On the Court: A Dominant Start
The Knicks set the tone early, opening the game on a 12‑2 run. Brunson was unstoppable in the pick‑and‑roll, repeatedly finding Towns for easy buckets or finishing himself at the rim. Mitchell Robinson, who has struggled at the free‑throw line all season, was intentionally fouled twice in the third quarter (a “Hack‑a‑Mitch” strategy) but made 3 of 4 attempts, frustrating the Hawks’ game plan.
Atlanta cut the lead to seven points with five minutes remaining, but Brunson answered with a step‑back three and a driving layup to push the lead back to double digits.
“That’s what playoff basketball is about,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “They made their run, we answered.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night at the Garden, with the Knicks looking to take a commanding 2‑0 lead before the series shifts to Atlanta.
FAQ: Knicks-Hawks Game 1 Celebrity Sightings
Q: Which Yankees player attended the Knicks playoff game?
A: Yankees right‑hander Cam Schlittler, who pitched a win over the Royals earlier Saturday, was shown on the Garden scoreboard and received a loud ovation.
Q: What celebrities were at the game?
A: Ben Stiller, John McEnroe, Jordyn Woods, and Knicks legends Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Latrell Sprewell, and Stephon Marbury.
Q: Why were the Knicks and Hawks a rivalry?
A: Atlanta’s Trae Young led the Hawks to a first‑round upset over the Knicks in 2021, becoming a villain in New York. Young was traded to the Wizards this season.
Q: Who won Game 1?
A: The Knicks defeated the Hawks 113‑102.
Q: Who was the leading scorer?
A: Jalen Brunson with 31 points.
Q: When is Game 2?
A: Monday night, still at Madison Square Garden.
