SouthernWorldwide.com – The NBA Finals are set to return to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 27 years, igniting discussions about ticket prices and the team’s impressive performance against the San Antonio Spurs.
However, one starting player has voiced his opinion that the exorbitant prices for a single ticket to “The Mecca” are simply “ridiculous.”
Josh Hart shared his thoughts with reporters prior to Game 3 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. He was questioned about the cost of tickets for Games 3 and 4, scheduled for this week.
“I kind of wish the ticket prices weren’t as crazy as they are,” Hart admitted.
“I feel like a lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren’t able to get into the building. The cheapest ticket $7,000, $8,000. That’s ridiculous.”
Ticket prices saw a significant surge after the Knicks secured a narrow 105-104 victory over the Spurs, extending their series lead to 2-0 heading into Game 3. Over the weekend, the lowest prices on secondary ticket markets reportedly reached as high as $10,000.
The prices have since seen some decrease, with some attributing this to the confirmed attendance of President Donald Trump at Game 3. This will necessitate enhanced security measures and stricter regulations on items fans can bring into the arena. The Knicks have advised attendees to arrive approximately two hours before tip-off to allow for additional screening and entry procedures, comparable to TSA lines at an airport.
President Trump, when asked about the ticket prices over the weekend, offered a different perspective than Hart.
“They can watch it on television,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday. “It’s sorta semi-free to watch it on television. That’s the way life goes.”
Monday night’s game marks another significant sporting event for Trump to attend since his second term in office. He previously attended the Super Bowl two NFL seasons ago, as well as the Daytona 500 and the Ryder Cup.
For the Knicks, the possibility of a sweep in the best-of-seven series looms as they continue their home stand against the Spurs. Game 4 could potentially be the championship-clinching game, and ticket prices reflect the magnitude of the moment.
As of Sunday night, the lowest available ticket price for Game 4, according to Gametime, was $10,097, with the highest reaching $110,964.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also commented on the high ticket prices for the Finals, expressing his “frustration” that more fans are unable to attend. However, as a businessman, Silver acknowledges the booming market driven by the historical significance of the Knicks’ potential championship.
Regardless of who is in the stands, players like Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns are focused on the game itself, not the VIPs in attendance, even if the President of the United States is courtside. They have maintained a stoic demeanor despite their current 13-game winning streak, understanding the sentiment of the late Kobe Bryant’s famous words: “Job’s not finished,” which he uttered when his Los Angeles Lakers held a 2-0 lead in a previous Finals against the Orlando Magic in 2009.
The Lakers ultimately won that series in five games, not a sweep. The Spurs, however, are aiming to make this series a more extended affair than the Magic experienced 17 years ago. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are set to face the Knicks at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday night.
