Monica McNutt’s on-air reaction to Taylor Swift sitting courtside for Game 4 of the NBA Finals sparked backlash online, with social media users defending Swift and a well-known sports blogger calling out the “hating.”
When Taylor Swift turned up courtside for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, it wasn’t just her seat that drew attention—it was what happened on the broadcast.
New York Knicks radio analyst Monica McNutt reacted in a shady way to Swift’s presence during the Knicks’ narrow victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday. June 10. Swift. 36. was spotted sitting alongside Alana and Este Haim. and her courtside appearance quickly became a talking point among NBA radio commentators Tyler Murray and McNutt.
Footage posted on social media shows the duo appearing unaware their microphones were still on. McNutt is heard asking, “Is that Taylor Swift down there?” After that, Murray whipped out his phone to take a photo of the singer for his wife.
McNutt’s comment landed harder after Swift was identified. She can then be heard saying, “She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl.”
The reaction didn’t stay contained. Social media users came to Swift’s defense, pointing out her longtime fandom of the Knicks. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy also joined the conversation, sharing via X: “Damn. Hate to see @McNuttMonica hating on Taylor Swift. Lots of new faces in the crowd. Don’t see her singling them out.”.
Us Weekly has reached out to McNutt’s representative for comment.
Swift wasn’t alone in her row. She was among the A-listers who cheered on the Knicks on Wednesday night, sitting beside Alana and Este Haim and Mariska Hargitay. She was also seen sitting just a few rows ahead of Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney and her boyfriend, music manager Scooter Braun.
That detail adds extra weight to the moment. because Braun and Swift have been tied up in a long-running dispute over the master recordings of her first six albums that dates back to 2019. Braun purchased Swift’s then-record label Big Machine Records at the time. In 2020. Braun sold the masters to Shamrock Holdings. which then sold them to Swift in 2025—granting her full control of her music catalog.
Braun has spoken about the feud publicly. During a May appearance on Suzy Weiss’ “Second Thought” podcast. Braun said. “[I] went from being like. loved and appreciated for over a decade to literally a villain the next night. ” and added that he didn’t want to go into details. He continued. “I don’t want to go into that. but I will say something that will really sum it up that I don’t know if I’ve ever really said. ” before explaining that he “I don’t know Taylor Swift. ” and “I think I’ve met her in my life three times.”.
Braun also said. “I have never had a substantial conversation with her in my life. ” and noted he was invited to a private party by Swift where she told him she had the utmost respect for him. He said he replied that he had the most respect for her as well. and pointed to the business decision: “You don’t spend $300 million buying a label that she’s on unless you’re excited at the opportunity to work with her.”.
He added that he spoke to her “really. once for like more than two minutes. ” calling it a “very nice conversation. ” and said that beyond that. “nothing ever.” Braun said that in the three years prior to buying Big Machine. Swift and he had “no contact. ” clarifying that the party was “like two years earlier or three years earlier” and that they “had no contact through the whole thing.” He concluded that he was “just as confused that this is part of my life as you are. ” and said he chose to “learn and grow from it.”.
By the time Swift was spotted at Madison Square Garden for Game 4. the night already had layers—fandom. family-friendly celebrity sightlines. and a broadcast moment that spilled onto social media. And for McNutt. the backlash was swift: fans didn’t just defend Swift’s Knicks history—they went straight at the shade.
Taylor Swift Knicks Monica McNutt Tyler Murray NBA Finals Madison Square Garden San Antonio Spurs Dave Portnoy Scooter Braun Alana Haim Este Haim Mariska Hargitay Sydney Sweeney
People are way too soft about celebrity seats.
Wait so the mic was on and she basically told Taylor to get out? That’s wild. Like Taylor Swift isn’t even doing anything.
I mean I’m not a Knicks fan but Monica McNutt sounds jealous or something. If Taylor’s always at Knicks games then why would she say she’s not a Knicks fan? Also the blogger calling it “hating” feels right, it’s just weird commentary.
Taylor Swift is like, famous for watching sports?? I thought she just sings and keeps it moving. Maybe McNutt was joking and everyone ran with the worst interpretation, like half the internet always does. But also why would their microphones be on in the first place, seems like a producer problem not a Taylor problem. Anyway I’m just confused why this is a whole story when Knicks won the game.