Taylor Swift and Haim sisters spark backlash over basketball appearance but opinion is truly split

Taylor Swift and Alana and Este Haim were spotted having the time of their lives taking in a basketball game, but not everybody is happy with it.

It was a star-studded affair at Madison Square Gardens for one of the NBA Finals as the New York Knicks took on Spurs, with the 'celebrity row' a who's who of A-listers.

Alongside Swift and two of the three Haim sisters was Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Haritgay, Hailey Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Ben Stiller.

Photos of Swift's celebrations with Haritgay and the Haim siblings soon went viral, with even her friend Selena Gomez seeming to have a dig over their exuberance as the Knicks claimed a last-minute comeback victory, winning 107-106.

Clad in matching bright blue shirts with 'Stevie Knicks' emblazoned across them, the celebs were having a whale of a time, but some fans have hit out and questioned their support.

Taylor Swift and the Haim sisters were having fun (Al Bello/Getty Images)

The shirts were both a nod to the basketball team and also Fleetwood Mac star Stevie, who Swift is known to be a fan of.

Nobody likes a fair weather fan, and some critics are suggesting that Swift and the Haim sisters cared more about being seen than supporting the sport.

One rather sexist remark slammed: "Women have no concept of sports loyalty. One week they're a big Cavs fans, as soon as that team loses they'll hop on the ride of whoever is winning at the moment."

"Travis is apparently furious," wrote another, with many believing he supports a rival team.

Another hit out at Swift, calling her a gloryhunter: "She's an opportunist. She seeks whoever is going to win."

Some fans were quick to defend her though: "She went to a Cavs game with her fiancé. She wasn’t wearing Cavs gear. Should she have stayed home?"

Selena Gomez was among those seen to be criticising Swift's attendance at the game (instagram.com/selena gomez)

Someone else insisted: "She has been a Knicks fan, for yearssss" as someone else shared a collage of photos of her supporting the team.

Another social media user confused by the vitriol wrote: "I don't understand how a topic like this becomes a gender war?? I mean the girls just wanna have fun and vibes so what is wrong in that."

Elsewhere, in a now deleted social media post, Gomez also wrote: "Mad respect for the game!! Congrats to the peeps that represent! What a comeback. So funny how some are all the sudden fans though lol".

Some onlookers have taken that to be another barb aimed at Swift, or possibly even at Hailey Bieber, who married Gomez's ex, Justin Bieber.

Even New York Knicks lead radio analyst Monica McNutt was caught out making a snide remark about Swift.

The expert was heard on a hot mic saying: "Is that Taylor Swift down there? She's not a Knicks fan, get out of here, girl."

It seems Swift can't even have fun at a basketball game without attracting criticism.