The first round of the NBA playoffs is in full swing in the US
And with the matchup between the Cavaliers and Knicks even at a game apiece, the best-of-seven series moved to New York City for the crucial game three at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
As usual, a number of celebrities were among the nearly 20,000 fans who flocked to ‘the world’s most famous arena’ to get an up close and personal look at all the high-flying action.
Sitting on their chairs at court, retired actor Michael J Fox and his wife Tracy Pollan watched as both teams initially struggled with their offenses, but that would all turn around for the home side in the second quarter.
The former protagonist of the Back To The Future film franchise – who retired from acting in 2020 due to the effects of Parkinson’s disease – watched from his front row seat as the Knicks jumped to a 13-point lead at halftime.
Playoff action: Michael J. Fox, 61, and wife Tracy Pollan, 62 sat on court for game three of the NBA playoff series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday
Fox (born Michael Andrew Fox), 61, cheered for New York, wearing black pants with a brown leather jacket over a brown shirt and white sneakers.
At one point, as adoring photographers made the rounds in the arena, Pollan snuggled up next to her husband of nearly 35 for a photo or two.
The 62-year-old actress showed off her fashion sense in a black patterned shirt, paired with black flared jeans and leather boots.
The Long Island, New York native had her blonde locks styled long and flowing over her chest and well past the shoulders with a center parting.
Actress Chloe Sevigny, 48, and her husband Sinisa Mackovic, 41, also scored front row seats alongside actor John Leguizamo and his wife Justine Maurer
Sevigny showed her allegiance to the home team by wearing a white Knicks t-shirt with a black skirt and matching leather jacket.
The Boys Don’t Cry actress never held back during the game and could be seen screaming with excitement as Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett led the charge against the Knicks.
Not quite as vocal as his wife, but Mackovic still seemed enthralled by all the up-tempo action that led to New York stretching their lead to 17 points by the end of the third quarter.
Go NY: Fox and Pollan cheered on the Knicks from their court seats
Power surge: The couple, who celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in June, got excited when the Knicks took charge of the game in the second quarter
Celebrity sightings: Chloe Sevigny and her husband Sinisa Mackovic sat next to John Leguizamo and his wife Justine Maurer in the front row for game three
Knick pride: Sevigny, 48, showed off her Knicks fandom in a black and white ensemble
Exciting moments: Sevigny, 48, and Mackovic, 41, looked nervous at times, as did longtime New Yorker Leguizamo, 62, and Maurer, 54
Leguizamo (born John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez), 62, was a little more subdued but still enthralled by the resurgent Knicks.
The Moulin Rouge actor looked cool in a black suit with a white shirt and black boots.
The star, a native of Bogotá, Colombia who grew up in New York City since he was three years old, also wore a Knicks baseball cap, while his wife Justine Maurer, 54, looked nervous at times in her black and white outfit.
The Carlito’s Way star and The Shadow actress will celebrate their milestone 20th wedding anniversary on June 28.
Longtime supermodel Christy Turlington, 54, was at the contest with her 17-year-old son Finn, one of two children she shares with husband, actor and director Edward Burns.
The former catwalk queen and her son sparkled with big, beaming smiles for the cameras during a break in the action.
Some of the other celebrities playing the game from courtside seats included actresses Heidi Gardner and Cecily Strong, both 39, realtor and author Kelly Bensimon, 54, and her daughter Thaddeus Ann Bensimon, 23,
Longtime supermodel Christy Turlington, 54, took on all the high-flying action with her son Finn Burns, 17, who she shares with husband, actor and director Edward Burns
Endorsement: SNL stars Heidi Gardner and Cecily Strong, both 39, appeared to be having a great time together as the Knicks pulled away in the second half
Hometown fans: Kelly Bensimon with daughter Thaddeus Ann Bensimon, 23, were also on hand to cheer on the Knicks
Actor Penn Badgley had a front row view of the playoff action
Knicks take advantage: Rapper J. Cole watched the Knicks beat the Cavs 99-79 to take a 2 games to one lead in the series
New York state of mind: Jalen Brunson led the offense for the KNicks in their game three victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in New York on Friday; game four is at MSG on Sunday
Former Gossip Girl actor Penn Badgley, 38, also cheered from the front row, along with German-born rapper J. Cole (born Jermaine Lamarr Cole), 38.
In the end, the Knicks went on to a 99–79 victory over the Cavaliers, behind Brunson’s 21 points, six assists and four rebounds, and Barrett’s 19 points and eight rebounds and three assists.
With the win, the Knicks now lead the best of seven series two games to one.
Next, game four will be played on Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, with the tip-off scheduled for 1pm ET / 10am PT.
