1:12 PM PT -- While Dolan and NYK management are feuding with Lee, it seems the Knicks players and coaches are riding with Spike. Knicks head coach Mike Miller just told reporters they'd like to see the legendary director courtside "every night."
"We want to see him out there every night" - Mike Miller on Spike Lee pic.twitter.com/s7RoVir1mr
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 3, 2020
10:03 AM PT -- The Knicks just responded to Lee ... claiming the guy is creating a "false controversy to perpetuate drama."
New York Knicks Statement on Spike Lee pic.twitter.com/19JcvhFKO7
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 3, 2020
"The idea that Spike Lee is a victim because we have repeatedly asked him to not use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance -- which is used by every other celebrity who enters The Garden -- is laughable," the team said in a statement.
"He is welcome to come to The Garden anytime via the VIP or general entrance; just not through our employee entrance, which is what he and Jim [Dolan] agreed to last night when they shook hands."
As for Spike ... he says he's done watching the Knicks for the rest of the season ... but will be back for next season.
8:20 AM PT -- Lee is going OFF on the Knicks over Monday night's incident ... explaining to ESPN's "First Take" the team's statement on the situation was BS ... and he didn't make up with Dolan afterward.
“I wasn’t shaking hands. In fact, when he came over to me I didn’t get up right away, I was just sitting in my seat" Lee said.
"I said, 'Mr. Dolan, I’ve been coming for 28 years. Why wasn’t I notified? By email, text, phone.' He says, 'now you know.' Now you know?! It's too late!!!'”
Spike Lee joined @firsttake to explain last night's incident at MSG. pic.twitter.com/xsjGHApDqH
— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2020
"I'm being harassed by James Dolan. I don't know why."
Lee says it's a shame the Knicks haven't won a title since the '70s ... and the 62-year-old says he's worried NY won't win one again in his lifetime.
When told he pays $300k a year to attend Knicks games, Lee said, "I look stupid now."
More NY Knicks drama ... this time involving their biggest fan, Spike Lee -- who got into an altercation with security at MSG and told 'em, "You wanna arrest me like Charles Oakley?!"
The whole thing went down at Madison Square Garden right before the Knicks took on the Houston Rockets ... when security reportedly blocked Lee from using a restricted entrance into the building.
During the exchange (captured on video) you can hear Lee saying "no one told me" he wasn't allowed to use that particular entrance ... and he dug in his heels, "I'm staying right here."
Director Spike Lee denied entry to MSG. Rumors are circulating that MSG CEO James Dolan didn’t want the famed director to enter. #SpikeLee #MSG pic.twitter.com/0gZVaHDXBP
— BroTalkLive (@BroTalkLivePod) March 3, 2020
A Knicks spokesperson has said the entrance was not designated for fans -- with sources saying it was supposed to be for media and staffers only.
The good news ... Lee met with Knicks' owner, James Dolan, and the two smoothed things over. And, even better for Lee and the Knicks, THEY ACTUALLY WON THE GAME!
The Knicks have been AWFUL this season -- one of the worst records in the NBA -- but they still manage to draw A-List celebs to their games ... including Chris Rock, Pete Davidson, Kenan Thompson and more.
In fact, NY Giants QB Daniel Jones and his RW, Sterling Shepard, were sitting courtside along with fellow NFL stud Jamal Adams.
.@Prez wasn't having it when Daniel Jones and Sterling Shepard were introduced at the Knicks game 😂pic.twitter.com/dtRCf58zKC
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) March 3, 2020
Guess Michael Rapaport's call for celeb boycott ain't exactly workin' ...
As for the game, Knicks rookie RJ Barrett scored 27 points and Julius Randle had a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double to lead the team to a 125-123 win over Houston.
Originally Published -- 7:40 AM PT