Timothee Chalamet once again chose the NBA playoffs over fashion’s biggest night, skipping the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, to attend a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
The actor was seated courtside as the Knicks took on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their playoff series. His absence from the Met Gala was notable, with the star-studded event unfolding roughly 50 blocks north at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Chalamet offered fans a glimpse into his evening via Instagram, sharing a photo of his sneakers from the sidelines. Dressed casually in a rugby-striped long-sleeve shirt and light-wash jeans, he blended into the arena atmosphere as New York built a commanding lead during the game.
It marks the second consecutive year Chalamet has skipped the Met Gala in favor of a Knicks playoff matchup. His last appearance at the event came in 2021, when he served as a co-chair, highlighting his continued pull between the worlds of fashion and basketball.
Timothée Chalamet SKIPPED the Met Gala to watch the Knicks in Game 1 😭🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 5, 2026
He’s one of us 🙌
(Via darynheatherrr/TT) pic.twitter.com/oFWF9WFa87
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Even at the Met Gala, support for the New York Knicks remained front and center. Ben Stiller, attending alongside Christine Taylor, made sure to acknowledge the game during a livestream.
He said, “Well, you know, if you can’t be at Madison Square Garden watching the Knicks win their first playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers—Knicks in six—this is a great second choice.”
Kylie Jenner Stuns At The 2026 Met Gala Without Timothee Chalamet
While Timothee Chalamet remained at the New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, Kylie Jenner attended the Met Gala solo. She wore a Schiaparelli dress as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The couple, first linked in 2023, has yet to make a joint appearance at the Met Gala. Chalamet’s continued absence aligns with his past comments about prioritizing the Knicks during their playoff run.
In 2025, he explained his decision to skip the event for a game, saying he was too “locked in” to miss it and added, “That Knicks run last year, I think that was the most fun period of my life. Those four months, I’m not even kidding. Just the Garden being electric.”
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The Knicks’ playoff schedule again coincided with the Met Gala this year, resulting in Chalamet attending the game while Jenner appeared at the fashion event.
