Spike Lee, the iconic filmmaker and lifelong New York Knicks supporter, recently made headlines with a bold declaration during a conversation on NBA on TNT. In the course of a speech focused on his love of the game, he dropped this bomb. He’d happily exchange an Academy Award for the chance to see his treasured Knicks take home a championship. This indicates that he’s really all in on this team. They were named the kings of the NBA after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA championship.
Lee won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019 for his film BlacKkKlansman. In doing so, his groundbreaking work has finally been acknowledged after years of undervaluation by Hollywood. In 2016, he received an honorary Oscar, celebrating his influential career that includes classics such as Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and Jungle Fever.
During the conversation on NBA on TNT, Lee spoke with prominent analysts, including Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley. As a die-hard Knicks fan, his passion was evident when he described the extremes he would exercise to return the storied franchise to glory.
“I would give up an Academy Award, Oscar, for the Knicks to win a championship.” – Spike Lee
Lee was just seen courtside at a Knicks game, the model of how to best live the life of a passionate sports fan. At the Eastern Conference final on May 29, he sat courtside with fellow celebrity-to-the-court and Knicks fan Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet, who has received two Oscar nominations, shares Lee’s passion for the team and has been seen cheering from the stands.
The Knicks’ victory over the Pacers marks a significant moment in the franchise’s history, reigniting hope among fans who have long awaited a championship title. With this victory, Lee’s dream of seeing the Knicks at the peak of success has finally come to fruition.
By the time the NBA season winds down, Lee will be reunited with fellow pundits at Turner Sports’ TNT. Onward to ESPN for the rest of the broadcasts. This change marks an exciting new chapter as they continue to cover the league and share their insights with basketball enthusiasts.
