The New York Knicks have come to Taylor Swift’s defence after one of their players questioned if she is a genuine supporter of the basketball team. The response followed comments from point guard Tyler Kolek, who suggested that Swift’s appearances at Knicks games were about attracting attention rather than supporting the team.

The controversy started during an NBA 2K League livestream on Thursday, November 5. Kolek appeared alongside teammate Miles “Deuce” McBride in a video segment where they were asked to identify the fakest celebrity fan they had seen sitting courtside at an NBA game.

Kolek suggested that some celebrities attend games because they want to be seen, not because they follow basketball. He then mentioned Swift as a possible example.

“Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,”

Photo: Getty Images

McBride agreed with his teammate, but warned about a backlash from the singer’s fans.

“Swifties are not gonna like that answer,”

Kolek acknowledged the possible backlash, saying he expected criticism from the singer’s fanbase. He later added that Swift had a busy schedule and could not attend every game but insisted her appearances seemed performative.

Swift’s fans questioned why the players had overlooked her history with the franchise.

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Following the discussion, the Knicks issued a statement supporting the singer. A spokesperson told CBS New York that Swift had been a fan for many years and shared a  connection with Madison Square Garden.

“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization,”

Swift has been a Knicks fan for more than a decade. Photographs show her attending games at Madison Square Garden in October and November 2014. She was seen with Ben Stiller and model Karlie Kloss. Swift performed at her Fearless and Speak Now tours and appeared at several iHeartRadio Jingle Ball events.

Photo: Getty Images

She returned to the spotlight at Madison Square Garden in June 2026 when she attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Swift sat with sisters Este and Alana Haim, and actress Mariska Hargitay.

She wore a blue shirt with the words “Stevie Knicks” printed across the front. The outfit refers to Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks and the New York basketball team.

Swift also attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland in May with her husband, Travis Kelce.

This is not the first time someone associated with the Knicks has questioned Swift’s loyalty. In June, ESPN and MSG Network analyst Monica McNutt made a dismissive comment about the singer during a broadcast before Game 4 of the NBA Finals. She later apologised, describing the incident as a hot-mic situation.

Robert Pattinson has reportedly screen-tested for the role of James Bond, adding another high-profile name to the search for Daniel Craig’s successor. The actor, who plays Bruce Wayne in DC’s The Batman franchise, is among the latest performers linked to the next 007 film, which will be directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Pattinson’s reported audition places him alongside Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor, who had previously emerged as leading candidates for the role. The screen tests reportedly took place in London in late October, with Pattinson joining the process while filming The Batman: Part II. His involvement was reported on November 6, although Amazon MGM Studios has yet to announce a casting decision.

Nicholas Hoult has also emerged as another reported contender. The actor, whose credits include Superman, Nosferatu and The Great, was reportedly among the performers who screen-tested for the part. His name adds another potential candidate to a selection process that had initially focused on a smaller group of actors.

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Pattinson’s inclusion is particularly notable given his existing association with another major fictional hero. He made his debut as Batman in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film, taking on a darker interpretation of the character. The sequel, The Batman: Part II, is currently in production, with Pattinson returning as Bruce Wayne.

His reported Bond audition also brings his recent collaboration with Villeneuve into the conversation. The actor worked with the filmmaker on Dune: Part Three, the third instalment of the science-fiction franchise, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. Villeneuve is now preparing to direct the next James Bond film, although their previous work together does not confirm that Pattinson has an advantage in the casting process.

Pattinson’s career has taken several turns since his international breakthrough as Edward Cullen in the Twilight films. He subsequently appeared in independent productions including Good Time and The Lighthouse, taking on characters that differed considerably from his earlier franchise role. His credits also include Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and The Batman.

Photo: Flanigan/imageSPACE

A Bond casting would give him another opportunity to lead a major film franchise. However, the role comes with its own demands, particularly for an actor expected to carry a series that has remained a major part of cinema for more than six decades.

Daniel Craig’s final appearance as the British secret agent was in 2021’s No Time to Die. He played Bond in five films, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006. His departure left the franchise facing its first major casting decision in years, with audiences waiting to see who would take over the character.

The upcoming 26th Bond film will be directed by Villeneuve, whose previous work includes Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune films. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, has been hired to write the screenplay, while producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are attached to the project.

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The production also marks a change in the franchise’s management. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who oversaw the Bond films for decades, ceded creative control to Amazon MGM Studios. The move gives the studio greater authority over the direction of the series and its future productions.

Despite the growing list of reported candidates, no successor to Craig has been officially announced. Pattinson’s screen test does not mean he has been offered the role, and the studio has not confirmed the identities of its final choices.

For now, the actor remains among the reported contenders for 007. Whether the man currently playing Batman will become the next James Bond is a decision audiences will have to wait for Amazon MGM Studios to reveal.

Zac Affleck has revealed that he tried to save his marriage to Jen Affleck after she first told him she wanted a divorce, saying he asked her to reconsider and promised to work on their relationship.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star addressed their separation in a TikTok video on Thursday, November 5, after Jen filed for divorce earlier in the week. He said the two had been discussing divorce for about a year, but he had hoped they could still save their marriage.

Photo: Getty images

According to Zac, Jen first told him she was unhappy and wanted a divorce about a year ago, shortly after his appearance on Dancing with the Stars. He recalled asking her to stay and assuring her that he would make changes to improve their relationship.

“I basically begged her to stay,” he said. “Told her [I would] work on things, fix things, become whoever she needed me to be.” However, he acknowledged that their efforts did not lead to a reconciliation.

Zac said the separation was difficult because he still loves Jen. He also accepted responsibility for his part in the breakdown of their marriage, admitting that he had made several mistakes before concluding that they needed to go their separate ways.

The couple married in 2019 and share three children: Nora, 5, Luca, 3, and Penelope, 1. Jen is currently pregnant with their fourth child. Reflecting on their relationship, Zac said they married young and faced the added pressures of raising a family while appearing on a reality television show.

He described the experience of having their marriage in the public eye as difficult, alongside the demands of parenthood. He also felt that they had gradually lost the connection they shared when they first got married.

Zac said his main concern now is how the divorce will affect their children. He admitted that he worries about the impact of the separation on them but said he and Jen want to give them a normal childhood and continue working together as parents.

He also expressed his intention to support Jen as they adjust to their new circumstances, saying he would continue to be there for her.

Photo: Getty images

Jen also shared her perspective in a TikTok post on Thursday, publishing an older video in which Zac could be heard commenting on her appearance as she prepared to record content. In the clip, he questioned whether she should post the video, making remarks about her postpartum body.

Although Jen laughed during the exchange, her caption suggested that she viewed the interaction differently. “He was never my biggest supporter,” she wrote.

Jen filed for divorce on November 3, after seven years of marriage. The couple now face the transition to co-parenting while preparing for the arrival of their fourth child.

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