Anne Hathaway Chooses Knicks Championship Over Second Oscar
Actress Anne Hathaway, a lifelong Knicks fan, publicly chose a New York Knicks championship over winning another Oscar during a game on The Tonight Show.
Anne Hathaway chose a Knicks championship over another Oscar win during a game on The Tonight Show. The lifelong Knicks fan and New York City native made the playful decision on Wednesday while appearing to promote her upcoming psychological thriller, Verity, which is scheduled for release on October 2.
During a segment called "Best Thing Ever," Hathaway was asked to choose between a second Academy Award or another Knicks title. She dropped the Oscar poster without hesitation. The New York-based audience in Studio 6B at 30 Rockefeller Plaza cheered her choice. Hathaway put down the card with the Oscar trophy and did not speak after making her selection. She later asked if she could give up The Great British Baking Show to choose both options. "The way my nervous system is reacting to that choice is really intense," Hathaway said with a laugh.
Knicks' championship victory
The Knicks secured their first title in 53 years by winning four of five games in the 2026 NBA Finals. They beat the San Antonio Spurs in the championship series, though they lost Game 3 on June 9. The historic victory provides timely context for Hathaway's public declaration of support.
Hathaway's personal connection to Anunoby
Hathaway's fandom has a personal link to forward OG Anunoby. She has been a fan since he nearly crashed into her and her son courtside at Madison Square Garden in 2024. In April, she considered wearing an Anunoby jersey on The Tonight Show to show her support for the team. During her recent appearance, host Jimmy Fallon gifted her a signed jersey from Anunoby. The Knicks also gave Hathaway, who is pregnant, a basket of baby gifts and a card signed by the star player. Anunoby was instrumental in the team's playoff success, scoring 29 points in Game 6 of the first-round series to lead the Knicks to a historic series-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks.
The Tonight Show game context
The game where Hathaway made her choice included other match-ups, such as Green Day versus Great British Bake Off and books versus iced cream. Her appearance was primarily to promote her new film. Hathaway won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for her role in Les Misérables and was nominated for Best Actress in 2008 for Rachel Getting Married. Universal Pictures has plans to campaign for her in the Best Supporting Actress category for a future role in The Odyssey. Following her appearance on the show, the Knicks continued their winning streak.
