Taylor Swift -- BOOZIN' WITH LINGERIE MODEL ... At NY Knicks Game

The NY Knicks are the Lakers of the East Coast ... and not just because they suck -- they drew some of the biggest stars in the world to their home opener last night.

Everyone from Justin Bieber to Spike Lee to Ben Stiller was there ... but the winner of the celebrity showdown was clearly Taylor Swift -- who sat courtside with a hot lingerie model friend.

Taylor and Victoria's Secret stunner Karlie Kloss drank beers and Diet Cokes as they cheered on the Knicks ... who got crushed by the Chicago Bulls.

Of course, Taylor became the new Global Welcome Ambassador for New York after buying a $20 million apartment earlier this year ... so watching the Knicks play seems like it would be a job requirement.