Mary J. Blige donned a pair of her go-to thigh-high boots in a Barbie pink to perform during halftime in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. She wore boots from Bottega Veneta.

The game was between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, and took place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in New York City. “The biggest stage in the world, along with the greatest city in the world, let’s go Knicks,” Blige shared on Instagram along with a photo of the show after the game. The Knicks may have lost the game, but the team scored a win anyway thanks to a high-energy performance from the queen of hip-hop soul.

For the event, the “No More Drama” singer went for an all-pink look, starting off with a pair of Bottega Veneta’s Canalazzo intrecciato boots in a bubblegum pink shade. The Italian-made boots are handwoven from strips of leather, using the designer’s signature intrecciato technique.

The New York native’s boots featured her preferred over-the-knee silhouette that snuggly hugged her thigh, while providing a looser fit toward the bottom. The curved, block heels measured about 100mm, giving her a towering lift but also providing comfort while dancing on the court.

Blige has a long history with thigh-high boots, and she has worn them repeatedly over the years that they have become part of her brand and image. Her preference for the boot style inspired a collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti in 2024.

Bottega Veneta began making shoes, including the Canalazzo style, in the mid-1970s. With its signature curved heel and soft lines, the Canalazzo line features thigh-high boots, mules, pumps and ankle boots, in both smooth, soft leather and in the Intreccio woven leather styles.

For her ensemble, Blige opted for a silk blouse and skirt set from Emilio Pucci. She wore the designer’s Iride-print miniskirt in pink with a matching button down shirt. The shirt featured front button fastening, an allover graphic print like the skirt, long sleeves and buttoned cuffs. The singer sported hers with opened buttons at the top, revealing a hint of her pink undergarments. She went for pin-straight, blonde waist-length hair, diamond hoop earrings, sunglasses and stacked diamond and silver necklaces for the performance.

The Iride print was featured heavily in the summer 2025 Marmo Collection by Pucci. Curated by Camille Miceli, the collection showcased draped volumes, Roman influences and a glamorous nod to the 1920s. It features prints like Marmo, Iride, Stella and Maddalena and bold colors, natural contrasts and innovative materials.