Jalen Brunson's Message to Swifties: 'Cut Her Some Slack'

New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson has issued a public message to "Swifties," urging them to be more supportive of Taylor Swift's presence at the 2026 NBA Finals. Brunson, who led the Knicks to their first championship in decades, stated, "She's a really good one. Cut her some slack. It's all good, I promise."

Swift, 36, attended Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10. She was seen courtside with friends, experiencing the Knicks' win. The singer later described her excitement, admitting she "kept screaming" throughout the game, resulting in a raspy voice.

However, Swift's attendance initially sparked debate. Knicks analyst Monica McNutt was heard on a hot mic questioning Swift's fan status. McNutt later clarified her comments, stating it was an observation about Swift's infrequent appearances rather than a racial commentary, though acknowledging the power of words.

Despite the controversy, Swift received support from Brunson's family and teammates. Brunson's wife, Ali Marks Brunson, noted Swift's enthusiastic engagement and matching custom T-shirts. Shannon Hart, wife of Josh Hart, also found Swift's passionate reactions to the game "really cool."

Swift was notably absent from Game 5 on Saturday, June 13, opting instead to see a Broadway performance with fiancé Travis Kelce.