It was his plus-one that sent fans into overdrive: Kylie Jenner. The couple, rarely seen together since their Golden Globes PDA in January 2024, reignited romance rumors with their cozy courtside appearance.
Timothee Chalamet, 29, rocked a black leather jacket and sunglasses, keeping it low-key yet stylish, while Jenner, 27, dazzled in a sleek red gown that screamed Oscar-worthy glamour. Posts on X lit up with fans gushing over their chemistry, with one calling it “the crossover we didn’t know we needed.”
Their outing comes as Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown—where he plays Bob Dylan—gains Oscar buzz after his SAG Award win for Best Actor on Feb. 24. Sources say the couple’s been tight-lipped about their status, but this public date hints they’re still going strong.
Jenner, not one to miss a spotlight, reportedly cheered loudest when LeBron sank a three-pointer, proving she’s as much a Lakers fan as a fashion icon.
Not far from Chalamet’s love-fest, Ben Affleck, 52, turned the game into a father-son night with 12-year-old Samuel. Fresh off finalizing his divorce from Jennifer Lopez in January, Affleck grinned ear-to-ear, decked out in a purple shirt and grey trench coat.
Samuel, sporting a Lakers jersey, mirrored his dad’s enthusiasm as they cheered the team’s 118-104 rout of the Timberwolves. The duo’s animated reactions—high-fives and all—stole the show, with onlookers noting Affleck’s lighter mood amid a tough year.
Affleck’s courtside ritual with Samuel isn’t new; they’ve hit Crypto.com Arena before, including a November 2024 Raptors game. But Thursday’s vibe felt special, with Affleck’s Oscar-winning charm mixing with dad-mode joy. Insiders say he’s prioritizing family post-split, and this game—days before the March 2 Oscars—offered a perfect escape.
The Lakers’ win wasn’t the only draw. Chalamet, an Oscar hopeful, and Affleck, a two-time winner, weren’t alone. French actor Stéphane Bak, Chalamet’s pal, joined the fun, adding to the A-list tally.
The Feb. 27 clash doubled as a pre-Oscars bash, with Crypto.com Arena buzzing like a red-carpet afterparty. LeBron’s 32-point performance kept the crowd roaring, but the star power courtside turned it into a Tinseltown takeover.
As the Academy Awards loom, Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown faces stiff competition from Conclave and The Brutalist. Could this Lakers night be his last chill moment before a potential Best Actor win? Affleck, meanwhile, skips the 2024 race but proves he’s still Hollywood royalty. For one night, hoops trumped statuettes—and fans loved every second.
Nica is a seasoned entertainment journalist who loves covering celebrities, anime, K-pop, K-drama, television, and movies. With years of experience in digital media, she has built a reputation for delivering engaging and insightful coverage of the latest trends in the entertainment industry.
Previously, she served as a Managing Editor at International Business Times UK and Latin Times, leading editorial teams and shaping content strategies. Before that, she was a Senior Reporter at International Business Times US and The Inquisitr, covering high-profile celebrity news, film and TV updates, and in-depth features on global pop culture phenomena.
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