The Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have featured plenty of stars sitting courtside. Most of the celebrity sightings have been at Madison Square Garden, but the biggest stars yet attended Game 3 in Cleveland: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift.
Kelce, a Cleveland native, is a big Cavaliers fan. The power couple’s presence became a major talking point of Game 3, including a viral moment during a timeout that Barstool Sports co-founder Dave Portnoy loved.
Dave Portnoy Reacts to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift’s Hilarious Timeout During Game 3 of Knicks-Cavs
During a timeout heading into the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena, the couple was featured on the jumbotron while the Grammy Award winner’s music blasted over the speakers.
Swift waved and winked at the camera before Kelce stole the spotlight, standing up with a beer in his hand and chugging it. He pointed at his Cavs shirt and waved his Cleveland hat around as the crowd erupted.
Looking at what her fiancé was doing, Swift buried her head in her hand, played up the embarrassment, then smiled, and clapped once he was done.
Portnoy, a sports commentator and huge Swift fan, loved it.
“I love how Taylor was getting ready to act like she was on screen at a Grammy award show and then it just turned into a Travis chug. What a strange but weirdly perfect odd couple,” Portnoy wrote on X.
I love how Taylor was getting ready to act like she was on screen at a Grammys award show and then it just turned into a Travis chug. 😂. What a strange but weirdly perfect odd couple pic.twitter.com/cEKwE0a69r
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 24, 2026
It wasn’t just their courtside antics that caught the attention of fans worldwide; both leaned into the camera with their fits, too.
Swift kept it minimal in blue denim and a black tank top with a silver chain. She donned a black jacket and black strapped heels, finishing her look off with an orange lipstick. Kelce matched her vibe in jeans, a short-sleeve denim jacket, a white shirt, and a Cavs cap.
Kelce’s roots run straight through Cleveland. He was born in Westlake, Ohio, and starred in three sports at Cleveland Heights High School before he landed at Cincinnati. He’s a longtime Cavaliers and Guardians fan. The podcast he co-hosts with his brother Jason is named “New Heights” after their Cleveland high school.
Kelce is no stranger to chugging beer, as he’s done this multiple times in the past, including at a “New Heights” live podcast at the University of Cincinnati in 2024, off the Lombardi Trophy in 2023, and at the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game alongside Patrick Mahomes.
Although Swift has fewer ties to the Cavs, she rooted for Kelce’s favorite team. However, New York ultimately won 121-108, extending its series lead to 3-0. The Knicks are just one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals.
As for Kelce and Swift, they announced their engagement last August and are reportedly expected to get married on July 3, 2026.
