New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) takes a three-point shot over Boston Celtics guard Jrue … More
The fans of the New York Knicks are nothing if not loyal. Yes, they often are disappointed and frustrated with a franchise that has not made a deep playoff run in a quarter century. Still, they keep returning, routinely selling out Madison Square Garden.
On Saturday afternoon, they will be back at MSG for Game 3 of the Knicks’ NBA Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series against the Boston Celtics, their longtime rival. This time, the stakes are high, as are the ticket prices for a game that some are calling the most anticipated since 1999 or 2000 when the Knicks made it to the NBA Finals and conference finals in consecutive seasons. Since then, New York has not advanced past the conference semifinals, so it is only natural Saturday’s game is a hot ticket.
With the Knicks winning the first two games at TD Garden in Boston this week, the interest in the series has only grown, which is reflected in data from Victory Live, a ticketing technology company that analyzes sales in the secondary market.
How Much Are Knicks Vs. Celtics Tickets ?
The average sales price on Wednesday for a ticket for Saturday’s Game 3 was $1,956, a 155% increase from the $767 average sale on May 1 after the Knicks clinched their first round series against the Detroit Pistons. For Game 4 on Monday night at MSG, the average ticket sale on Wednesday was $1,716, up nearly 215% from the $545 average on May 1, according to Victory Live.
Knicks’ home games are by far the most sought-after in the NBA, per Victory Live, which only includes sales in its data and not listings. Victory Live also does not incorporate fees, meaning fans are actually paying more than what is reflected in the data.
From May 1 through Wednesday, the average tickets to the Knicks’ first two second round home games cost $1,118, per Victory Live. The Golden State Warriors were next at $508, followed by the Celtics ($348) and Minnesota Timberwolves ($310).
Meanwhile, according to the TickPick online marketplace, the game 3 Knicks Vs. Celtics tickets averaged $983 as of Thursday, making it the most expensive Knicks home game since TickPick began tracking the data in 2011.
Cheapest Ticket For Knicks Vs. Celtics
As of early Thursday afternoon, the lowest Knicks vs. Celtics ticket for Saturday’s game was $795 (including fees) on TickPick, while the cheapest ticket for Monday’s game was $765. By comparison, the lowest priced ticket for the Warriors-Timberwolves series in San Francisco was $183 for Saturday’s Game 3 and $169 for Monday’s Game 4, per TickPick.
While the numbers are staggering and dwarf any other team, the Knicks play in the wealthiest area in the country and rank at or near the top of regular season ticket prices every year. Plus, their fans have not had much to cheer for in the postseason for a long time and want to be there in person. In addition, Boston is about four hours from New York, so the ticket demand from Celtics’ fans for the MSG games is much higher than it would be for fans of other teams who have to fly to attend the games.
If the first two games are any indication, Saturday could be another tight contest. The Knicks overcame 20-point second deficits both times, winning 108-105 in overtime in Game 1 and 91-90 in Game 2. Mikal Bridges, whom the Knicks acquired last July in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, clinched both games with steals in the closing seconds. Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Bridges’ former teammates at Villanova, and fellow starters OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns have each had big moments, too, as have reserves Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have not looked like the team that won last year’s NBA title, the franchise’s record 18th championship.
Boston has made only 25% of its 3-pointers, going a combined 25 of 100 from deep in the first two games. And in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Celtics have scored just 38 points and made only 11 of 53 field goals (20.8%), including 5 of 29 (17.2%) on 3’s. On Wednesday, the Celtics missed 14 consecutive shots in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to erase a seemingly insurmountable deficit.
It is a long way from the regular season when Boston attempted an NBA-record 48.2 3’s per game and made 36.8% of those shots. The Celtics also swept the Knicks in their four regular season games.
During the playoffs, though, the Knicks have had the upper hand, albeit slightly. So far this spring, New York has won all five of its road postseason games by three points or fewer.
On Saturday, the Knicks return home, where they will be greeted by a rabid crowd but also a determined opponent. The Celtics went 33-8 on the road during the regular season, so they are accustomed to playing well away from the TD Garden.
Still, the atmosphere on Saturday should be like nothing the Celtics have faced all season. The Knicks have not been this relevant since the 1999 and 2000 playoffs. Back then, Patrick Ewing was the team’s star, while Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father and current Knicks assistant, was a little-used reserve. Now, Jalen Brunson and the rest of the Knicks are looking to send their fans home happy and advance to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
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