The New York Knicks sent actress and superfan Anne Hathaway a signed OG Anunoby jersey and a baby basket, thanking her for the 'Anne Hathaway effect' during their 2026 NBA Championship run. Hathaway received the gifts during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she declared she'd choose another Knicks title over a second Oscar.
Host Jimmy Fallon surprised Hathaway live on air with a jersey signed by forward OG Anunoby. Without hesitation, she threw it on over her dress. Fallon then presented a full New York Knicks-themed baby basket, complete with a card from Anunoby himself. The card read, 'All my best, OG Anunoby.' Hathaway, who is expecting her third child, was visibly moved. "I am so spoiled," she said, adding, "I'm supposed to be a person now?"
The gifts were a direct thank-you for a pep talk Hathaway gave on a previous Fallon show. Before a playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, she discussed her love for the team. Headlines the next day credited an 'Anne Hathaway effect' after OG Anunoby played a key role in a Game 6 win. The Knicks went on to win their first championship in 53 years, beating the San Antonio Spurs.
The championship celebration continues, but the team's on-court performance remains sharp. Just two days prior, they beat the same opponent 121-108.
This strong finish to the season built momentum.
Preseason action is next on the calendar. The Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with a new look after signing LeBron James in the summer. That game will offer a first look at how the defending champions measure up against a retooled Eastern Conference contender.
For Anne Hathaway, the gifts are a permanent memento of a magical season. Her fandom is unquestionable. When Fallon posed the hypothetical choice between an Oscar or a Knicks title, she picked the championship. That passion, and the team's belief in her 'effect,' created a unique bond between a Hollywood star and her favorite basketball team. The Knicks' front office clearly knows how to reward their most famous supporters.
