When it comes to the New York Knicks, lifelong fan and Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway has firmly cemented her status as the franchise’s ultimate good luck charm. For a team with a storied history, passionate fanbase, and a relentless pursuit of championship glory, sometimes a little Hollywood magic goes a long way. For Hathaway, a proud New York City native, her devotion to the orange and blue is more than just a casual celebrity courtside appearance; it is a full-fledged cultural phenomenon that has intertwined her acting career, pop culture moments, and basketball superstition into one unforgettable narrative.
To truly understand the depth of this running joke, one must revisit a pivotal sequence of events that unfolded earlier this year. On April 20, the New York Knicks dropped a tough Game 2 matchup of their NBA Playoffs series against the Atlanta Hawks, leaving fans anxious about the team’s postseason trajectory. Just a few weeks later, on May 1, Hathaway’s highly anticipated cinematic feature “The Devil Wears Prada 2” premiered in theaters. The sequel featured a memorable scene where Hathaway’s iconic character casually chats up Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns at a glamorous Hamptons soiree.
What followed next can only be described as sports folklore. Buoyed by the cinematic crossover or sheer coincidence, the Knicks embarked on a historic, electrifying 13-game winning streak. The team refused to lose again until Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 9—a game famously attended by Donald Trump. In the wake of this miraculous run, Hathaway, along with various sports commentators and pop culture outlets including Variety, jokingly credited the actress for the sudden and dramatic shift in the franchise’s fortune.
The intersection of Hathaway’s career, her impending motherhood, and her unwavering basketball loyalty took center stage once again on Wednesday night when the actress visited “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Hathaway was making the rounds to promote her upcoming erotic thriller “Verity,” the Colleen Hoover adaptation in which she stars alongside Dakota Johnson. However, host Jimmy Fallon quickly pivoted the conversation toward the viral Knicks meme that had captivated sports and entertainment fans alike.
Recognizing her legendary status among the Madison Square Garden faithful, Fallon brought out a special surprise for "The Odyssey" star, who is currently five months pregnant. He presented her with an authentic, signed jersey from Knicks defensive stalwart and fan favorite OG Anunoby. The connection between Hathaway and Anunoby runs deeper than standard fan appreciation. During a November 2024 game at Madison Square Garden, Anunoby nearly crashed directly into Hathaway and her young son while hustling into the stands to save a loose ball. Rather than being shaken by the near-collision, Hathaway embraced the moment and subsequently professed her enthusiastic fandom for the player.
Upon receiving the unexpected gift, Hathaway’s genuine shock and delight were immediately apparent. “Are you serious? Oh my god!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening before she eagerly draped the jersey over her shoulders. The thoughtful gestures from the organization did not stop there. The Knicks also sent Hathaway a beautifully curated basket of gifts specifically tailored for her soon-to-arrive baby, complete with a heartwarming card reading “All my best,” signed personally by Anunoby. Overjoyed by the presentation, Hathaway became completely distracted by her new treasure, excitedly playing with the jersey and examining the details rather than answering Fallon’s subsequent interview questions.
The lighthearted interview took a hilariously agonizing turn later in the program when Fallon subjected the pregnant actress to a notoriously sadistic segment known as “Best Thing Ever.” The game forces guests to make impossible choices between two deeply cherished things, pushing their loyalties and priorities to the absolute limit. With a mischievous grin, Fallon posed a high-stakes hypothetical question that left the audience—and Hathaway—gasping: Would she rather win another Academy Award, given that she is currently a major Best Supporting Actress frontrunner for her fiery, critically acclaimed performance in “The Odyssey,” or witness the New York Knicks capture another NBA championship?
The weight of the question visibly hit Hathaway, who paused, stammered, and weighed the gravity of her options in real time. As an actor working at the pinnacle of her craft, an Oscar win represents the highest professional validation. Yet, the lifelong fan inside her could not ignore the pull of New York basketball history.
“I… I… OK…,” Hathaway stumbled, visibly processing the magnitude of the choice before firmly declaring her allegiance to the hardwood. She chose another Knicks championship over personal Academy Award glory.
Explaining her frantic thought process to a laughing audience, Hathaway laid bare the sheer emotional toll of the hypothetical scenario. “I’m actually, like, the way my nervous system is reacting to that choice is really intense,” she confessed, proving once and for all that while Hollywood accolades are nice, the heart of a true New York Knicks fan belongs entirely to Madison Square Garden.
