Even the best in the business can have an off night, and Tuesday's Knicks-Hawks game proved that in spectacular fashion. NBC's veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, known for his smooth delivery and encyclopedic knowledge, found himself at the center of a viral moment for all the wrong reasons.
During the final minute of the first half of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the broadcast cameras panned to a star-studded courtside section featuring Timothée Chalamet, Tina Fey, Kylie Jenner, Tracy Morgan, and Ben Stiller. As Tirico rattled off the celebrities, he delivered a gaffe that had social media buzzing: he referred to the beloved comedian and actress as "Tina Fox."
The slip didn't go unnoticed. Fans were quick to pounce, with one posting, "Mike Tirico just called Tina Fey 'Tina Fox' and skipped over Kylie Jenner entirely when mentioning all the celebrities on celebrity row." Another quipped, "Idk who Tina Fox is but she looks A LOT like Tina Fey." A third demanded, "Tina FEY – not Fox!!! Put some respect on her name." The collective reaction was summed up by a user who wrote, "Tirico calling her Tina Fox is taking me out."
But Tirico's misstep wasn't the only source of fan ire. His broadcast partner, Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, also drew heavy criticism. Viewers from both fan bases accused Miller of biased commentary, with a Hawks fan complaining, "Reggie Miller and Mike Tirico are so biased. They don't even try to hide it." A Knicks fan echoed the sentiment, writing, "Reggie Miller rooting for the Hawks during the broadcast is getting annoying." One frustrated observer even declared, "I think Reggie Miller has officially surpassed Doris Burke for the most annoying commentator in the NBA."
The combination of Tirico's slip and Miller's perceived favoritism made for a rough night for NBC's broadcast team. While the game itself was intense, it was the off-court drama that stole the spotlight. Fans on social media made it clear that they expect better from a network that has long been a staple of NBA coverage.
This isn't the first time a high-profile broadcaster has stumbled over a name. Just last month, an ESPN host had to apologize for mistakenly claiming a family tie during the NFL Draft—a blunder that also went viral. Greenberg's Draft Day Blunder served as a reminder that even seasoned professionals can have off moments.
For Tirico, the error is a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar career. Known for his work on Sunday Night Football and multiple Olympics, he's usually the gold standard for play-by-play. But Tuesday night, he was just another broadcaster who couldn't get the name right.
As for the game itself, the Hawks ultimately prevailed, but the conversation afterward was dominated by Tirico's gaffe and Miller's commentary. It's a safe bet that NBC's production team will be reviewing their celebrity-name cheat sheets before the next broadcast.
