Selena Gomez shuts down viral claims she mocked Taylor Swift's NBA Finals appearance
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez addressed online speculation through Instagram Stories on Friday, June 12, after social media users interpreted a recent comment as a subtle jab at longtime friend Taylor Swift.
The clarification came after social media users interpreted a comment left on an Instagram post featuring Swift celebrating the New York Knicks NBA Finals victory as a possible slight. Addressing the speculation, Gomez explained that the remark had been taken out of context and stressed that insulting friends was never the intention.
Selena Gomez explains Instagram comment and basketball post
The controversy began after Gomez, commented “lol” on an Instagram post shared by MTV featuring Swift and actress Mariska Hargitay celebrating the Knicks’ Game 4 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10.
One image showed Swift with her arm around Hargitay as fans gathered around them, while another captured the pair cheering during the game. Responding to the reaction, she shared a message on her Instagram Stories to explain the context behind her comment.
She wrote, “Woke up and was sent so many texts, I would never insult my friends nor was it an insult. The comment was a reaction to the first slide on the page.”
Referring to a screenshot she posted, Gomez added that she had also placed bets with friends on the game’s outcome, “Second I bet my friends on the game. The friends in the text chain I posted. I lost but was poking at my opponents, my friends. Believe it or not I do have other friends in my life.”
She concluded her statement by noting how quickly assumptions are made online, “But quickly forget that most assume otherwise. Also… it’s a basketball game.” The clarification came after Gomez congratulated the Knicks on Instagram Stories following their dramatic 107-106 victory over the Spurs after trailing by 29 points.
“Mad respect for the game!! Congrats to the peeps that represent! What a come back,” she wrote over a screenshot of an NBA article and also added, “So funny how some are all the sudden fans though lol.”
Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift’s longstanding friendship
The duo have maintained a close friendship since first meeting in 2008 while she was linked to singer-songwriter and musician Nick Jonas and Swift was dating Joe Jonas. Reflecting on their early friendship during a 2017 interview with KISS FM UK, she recalled, “We actually dated the Jonas Brothers together! It was hysterical.”
“It was amazing, because [Taylor] was the girl with the big curly hair and all the bracelets and the cowboy boots. And I was definitely up-and-coming, and we just clicked,” she continued, joking that, “It was the best thing we got out of those relationships.”
Their bond has remained strong over the years. In September 2025, Swift attended her wedding to music producer Benny Blanco. Gomez is also expected to attend Swift’s rumored wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce next month.
During an appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' in October 2025, Swift revealed that she deliberately avoided discussing her own engagement while speaking at Gomez’s wedding.
“I did make a speech, but I actually made a point not to mention anything about my engagement,” Swift said. She also described her as “the most elegant, gorgeous bride” and “a vision,” adding, “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful as her on her wedding day, and she deserves all of this happiness.”
