Timothée Chalamet Meets Ernie Johnson at NBA Game

Indianapolis, IN – World-renowned actor Timothée Chalamet, a superfan of the New York Knicks, met sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The two crossed paths during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.

Chalamet, who gained attention for wanting to portray Johnson in a biopic, first mentioned this in January while appearing on Inside the NBA. He noted that he spent five years preparing to play Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown but believed he could develop Johnson’s character much quicker.

The meeting was facilitated by fellow actor and Knicks fan Ben Stiller, who introduced the two. As they shook hands, Chalamet remarked, “I’m playing you in the biopic,” repeating the line as they spoke.

Johnson expressed his gratitude to Chalamet, stating that the actor made him a hero in the eyes of his children and grandchildren. “You’ve made me the coolest grandpa of all time,” Johnson told Chalamet during their encounter.

This encounter adds to a series of compliments exchanged between Chalamet and the Inside the NBA crew. Earlier this year, Chalamet praised analyst Kenny Smith, calling him a style icon. Should a biopic about Johnson ever come to fruition, Chalamet appears ready to step into the role.

Meanwhile, the Knicks fell to the Pacers 130-121, putting them in a 3-1 series hole as they head back to New York for Game 5, facing elimination Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.