NBA games are often a star-studded affair, especially in major cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. When it comes to Madison Square Garden, the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” celebrity sightings are practically guaranteed. Wednesday night was no different as the New York Knicks took on the Chicago Bulls, with many high-profile attendees in the crowd.
Among the celebrities enjoying the game was none other than Anne Hathaway, but she got a bit closer to the action than she might have expected. Late in the first quarter, Knicks forward OG Anunoby chased a loose ball that was headed out of bounds, sprinting toward the edge of the scorer’s table to make a play.
As Anunoby lunged after the ball, he crashed into the scorer’s table, coming dangerously close to toppling right into Hathaway, who was sitting courtside.
Fortunately, Anunoby managed to stop his momentum just in time, narrowly avoiding an awkward collision with the actress. Hathaway was visibly startled but quickly laughed off the incident, showing her sense of humor in a tense moment. The near miss certainly added some excitement to an already thrilling game.
This isn’t the first time Anne Hathaway has been spotted at an NBA game. She’s a known Knicks fan and has attended several games at Madison Square Garden.
Last season, she was in attendance for an early-season Knicks win over the Charlotte Hornets, where she watched Julius Randle, who has since moved to Minnesota, put up an impressive 25 points and 20 rebounds in a 115-91 blowout.
Hathaway also made an appearance at an Atlanta Hawks game back in March, witnessing a dominant performance as the Hawks defeated the Hornets 132-91.
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At 42 years old, Hathaway is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and beloved actresses. With an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Critics’ Choice Awards under her belt, she’s no stranger to the spotlight.
Her presence at Knicks games is always a treat for fans, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the NBA experience.
The game itself turned out to be a nail-biter. OG Anunoby and the Knicks battled hard but ultimately fell short in a thrilling 124-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Zach LaVine led all scorers with 31 points, propelling the Bulls to a narrow victory, while Jalen Brunson contributed 24 points for the Knicks. Anunoby ended the night with 14 points and nine rebounds, but despite his efforts, the Knicks couldn’t secure the home win.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will stay at home for their next three games, starting with a pair of matchups against their cross-town rivals, the Brooklyn Nets.
After facing Brooklyn, they’ll welcome the young and promising Washington Wizards to the Garden, hoping to bounce back from Wednesday’s tough loss.
Meanwhile, the Bulls will continue their road trip, heading to Cleveland next to take on the undefeated Cavaliers.
After that, they’ll return to Chicago for a single home game against the Houston Rockets before hitting the road again for back-to-back matchups with the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks.
As for Hathaway, we’ll have to wait and see if she makes it to any more NBA games this season. One thing is for sure—if she does, she might want to keep just a little more distance from the action on the court.
Either way, her courtside presence always adds an extra layer of excitement to the games, and Knicks fans will certainly be hoping to see her cheering them on again soon.