What could be the relationship between gymnastics legend Suni Lee and the NBA? Well, out of all the things one could think of, no one would have thought of her as the lucky charm. The last couple of times the 22-year-old has shown up at a Knicks game, things have only gone well for the New York-based franchise. Just take the example of the game against the Orlando Magic on December 3, 2024, where Lee arrived, and Mikal Bridges dropped 19 points, OG Anunoby added 18 points, and suddenly, the Knicks had fire in their step. So it’s no wonder that fans are asking for the artistic gymnast’s presence again.

After all, we all saw the magic unfold right in front of our eyes again during the NBA regular season, when the New York Knicks met the Phoenix Suns in Madison Square Garden. Surprise, surprise, Knicks managed to win with 112-88. Sitting courtside, the gymnast, all glammed up in a black oversized blazer, a white top, and a shimmering Olympic pendant, witnessed OG Anunoby go beast mode. He dropped 32 points, grabbing six rebounds and 3 assists. And Lee’s response? A sweet “I had so much fun.”

Now, as the team went on for the playoff game against the Detroit Pistons, fans couldn’t help but remember her. Multiple fans commented on her presence, even the sports betting platform, BET99 Sportsbook book commented on a post, “Suni Lee must be in attendance.” Not just the fans, but even the players themselves wished for Lee’s presence. Josh Hart said in a conversation with Jalen Brunson on Friday’s episode of the Roommates Show, “We need Suni or Anne Hathaway at every game during this playoff run.”

Anne Hathaway has been a lucky charm to the Knicks as well. Back in 2024, Anunoby tried to save a ball from going out of bounds. He was fortunate enough to stop himself from flying into the first row of seats at Madison Square Garden, where the Batman Dark Knight Rises actress was seated. Though he still managed to knock down the popcorn on her. But Hathway took it in good spirits as she joked on Instagram, “I almost got crashed into last night! I always wanted that to happen. Thanks OG!”

Nevertheless, the fans want their team to win, and they have been requesting the gymnast left and right to attend their games.

Fans wanted Suni Lee at the New York Knicks game

The 2020 Olympic all-around gold medalist did not show up at the Knicks game against Detroit. And given the importance this game holds in the playoff series, fans couldn’t keep their calm as one of them wrote, “WHERE IS SUNI LEE??” While the Knicks may not have had their lucky charm this time around, they sure managed to put on a show. 

Jalen Brunson was seen hobbling on the hardwood as the Knicks further sank into a hole in the third quarter. Then the 28-year-old went for what appeared to be a change of sneakers, and well, they pretty much nailed it from there. Brunson scored 34 points, Cam Payne had 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter. With this, the New York team managed to outshine the Pistons with a 21-0 run to rally for a 123-112 victory in Game 1 of their playoff series.

Karl Anthony Towns had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his first playoff game with the Knicks, while OG Anunoby put up 23 points. However, the Pistons had managed to hold up for the first three quarters, maintaining a 98-90 lead. But it was only a matter of time before Payne scored a 3-pointer to tie it at 98.  And from there, it was pretty much Payne, Brunson, and Josh Hart dominating.

Moving on, one fan even went as far as to pray to the gymnast and ask for her blessings, writing, “May Suni Lee bless the #Knicks.” Well, we can always hope for another time, right? Another fan wrote, “Suni Lee must be at the game.” Well, no wonder this fan thought so. With Mikal Bridges scoring 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Josh Hart scoring 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, it’s no wonder that Suni Lee might have been hiding in some corner of Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons with a score of 123-112. A very close game indeed, and this has left some fans nervous for the upcoming matchup, as they wrote, “Game was too close we need suni Lee courtside Monday.” The two teams will meet again for Game 2 of the playoffs on Monday. Though it certainly was a bad day for the Pistons fans who said, “SUNI LEE CANNOT SAVE THE KNICKS TODAY.”

However, there are hints that Suni Lee might retire from collegiate gymnastics altogether owing to health reasons, and if that is the case, going to a Knicks game once in a while cannot be that bad.