Taylor Swift's courtside Knicks seats 'bothered' Hank Azaria as A-list fans missed out

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Longtime New York Knicks fan and actor Hank Azaria slammed Taylor Swift over her appearance at Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Azaria said he was “bothered” by Swift's presence at the game, claiming that she and her friends occupied multiple seats in the arena's celebrity row. According to the actor, the seating arrangement left him and several other celebrity Knicks fans without spots in the exclusive courtside section.

“I’ll tell you the one (person) that bothered me was Taylor Swift,” the 'Simpsons' star said.

Taylor Swift's Knicks courtside seats 'bothered' Hank Azaria

Speaking on 'The Dan Le Batard Show', Azaria said that sports fans had already seen plenty of Swift during the NFL season because of her relationship with Travis Kelce and said he was tired of seeing her taking all the spotlight at major sporting events.

He also complained that Swift occupied multiple premium seats alongside friends Este Haim and Alana Haim while many celebrity Knicks supporters were left elsewhere in the arena. “I know she’s the hugest thing in the world, but we had to sit with her all through the NFL (to watch fiancé Travis Kelce), and now she’s at the Garden. Come on.”

Azaria revealed that despite receiving complimentary tickets, he was seated high up in the arena's suites rather than in the exclusive celebrity row.

According to him, several well-known Knicks fans were also unable to secure those prized courtside spots, including Questlove, Rainn Wilson, Jeremy Strong, Christy Turlington, Ed Burns and Aaron Judge.

The actor noted that getting into Madison Square Garden's celebrity row is often unpredictable. Azaria noted that “you don’t know from the Garden if you’re going to get in until that day” unless “you’re Ben Stiller or Tracy Morgan” or Spike Lee, who he “think(s) actually pays” because “there’s such high demand.”

Despite his frustration, Azaria still witnessed the Knicks' dramatic 107-106 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Criticism over Taylor Swift's Knicks attendance grows

Hank Azaria isn't the only one who has taken a shot at Taylor Swift's Knicks appearances. Charlamagne Tha God told the singer to "get the eff out of here," while Dave Portnoy said he was tired of seeing Swift and other celebrity attendees grabbing all the spotlight.

Even New York analyst Monica McNutt had a viral "get out of here, girl" moment during a broadcast, seemingly unaware of Swift's long-running connection to the Knicks. Despite the backlash, plenty of fans have defended the pop star, arguing she's just supporting the team like everyone else.