Nicole Kidman did not have to be courtside at Madison Square Garden to join Taylor Swift and the Haim sisters’ Knicks night.
The actress responded after Este Haim wore a custom New York Knicks-themed shirt that read “Knicole Kidman” during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 10. People reported that Kidman shared a Jumbotron clip of Swift, Este, and Alana Haim on Instagram Stories and wrote, “Right there with you girls!”
Swift wore a matching shirt that read “Stevie Knicks,” while Alana’s shirt said “Knickelback.” All three shirts used the Knicks’ blue-and-orange colors, and the group later showed them off in a Haim Instagram Reel set to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Kidman reposted that video too, writing, “My girls! I just wanna have fun!”
The shirts became part of a wild night at the Garden, where the Knicks came back from a 29-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 and take a 3-1 lead in the Finals.
The “Knicole Kidman” Shirt Got Back to Kidman Quickly
Swift, Este, and Alana were shown on the Jumbotron during the game, giving fans a clear look at the homemade shirts. Este’s “Knicole Kidman” design turned Kidman’s name into a Knicks pun, while Swift’s “Stevie Knicks” shirt nodded to Stevie Nicks and Alana’s “Knickelback” shirt played on Nickelback.
Kidman’s response was short and easy to read: she liked the joke and joined the group from afar. Entertainment Weekly reported that the actress shared the clip on Instagram Stories after the shirts started getting attention online.
Alana Haim Made the Shirts Herself
People reported that Alana made the shirts herself after buying royal blue Gildan shirts from Michaels for $2.99 each. She used orange screen-printing ink with puff additive to create the names.
Alana told Vogue, through People’s report, that making shirts for friends has become one of her hobbies. She said she has a small setup at home with a Cricut machine, which she uses to make custom pieces for people close to her.
Swift’s shirt also had its own backstory. People reported that Swift asked Alana to make the “Stevie Knicks” shirt and came up with that pun herself.
The Haim Reel Kept the Joke Going
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After the game, Haim shared an Instagram Reel of Swift, Este, and Alana dancing and lip-syncing to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” while wearing the shirts. The caption read, “Girls just wanna have PUN.”
Kidman reposted the Reel on her Instagram Stories with her own Cyndi Lauper reference, writing, “My girls! I just wanna have fun!” Entertainment Weekly reported that Mariska Hargitay later appeared courtside in her own “Stevie Knicks” shirt, extending the shirt joke beyond the original trio.
The Knicks Gave Them a Real Game to Celebrate
The celebrity outfits did not overshadow a quiet game. The Knicks erased a 29-point second-half deficit and beat the Spurs 107-106, putting New York one win away from an NBA title.
People reported that Madison Square Garden was packed with famous faces, including Timothée Chalamet, Mariska Hargitay, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, Adam Sandler, Michael J. Fox, Chris Rock, Julianne Moore, Keke Palmer, Whoopi Goldberg, Hailey Bieber, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Schumer, Penn Badgley, Jeremy Strong, Rainn Wilson, Nas, and Tate McRae.
The shirts spread online because they were simple, handmade, and specific. A $2.99 blue T-shirt turned into a Nicole Kidman repost, a Taylor Swift courtside clip, and one more piece of New York’s Game 4 celebration.