Josh Hart calls NBA Finals ticket prices at Madison Square Garden ‘ridiculous’
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The NBA Finals are returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 27 years, and ticket prices, as well as the team’s success thus far against the San Antonio Spurs, have been in question.
But one in five players believe it is “ridiculous” to see thousands spent on a single ticket to “Mecca.”
Josh Hart spoke to reporters ahead of Monday night’s Game 3 tip-off at The Garden, where he was asked about ticket prices for this week’s Games 3 and 4.
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New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Images)
“I wish the ticket prices weren’t as crazy as they are,” Hart replied.
“I feel like a lot of people who have been waiting for this time for too long unfortunately can’t get into the building. “The cheapest ticket is $7,000, $8,000. That’s funny.”
KNICKS-SPURS NBA FINAL GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COULD BE THE COSTEST SPORTS EVENT ON RECORD.
The tickets increased significantly after the Knicks held on to defeat the Spurs, 105-104, to push their series forward to 2-0 going to Game 3. Over the weekend, the price of entering the secondary ticket market was as high as $10,000.
Tickets have since declined, and some are pointing to the fact that President Donald Trump plans to attend Game 3. There will be enhanced security measures and stricter restrictions on what fans can bring into the stadium, with the Knicks saying in a statement that they should arrive at the Garden about two hours before tip-off to “allow for more time to check in and check in.”
KNICKS CENTER MITCHELL ROBINSON SEEMS EXCITED ABOUT PLAYING GAME 3 IN FRONT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
The screening may be similar to that of the TSA line at the airport.
Trump was also asked about ticket prices over the weekend, and his answer was much different than Hart’s.
“They can watch it on TV,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday after being asked about tickets to the game he is expected to attend.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on his way to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on Friday. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
“It doesn’t cost much to watch it on TV. That’s life,” he added.
Monday night will mark another major sporting event that Trump has attended since being sworn in for his second term. He’s been to the Super Bowl in New Orleans the past two NFL seasons, while attending the Daytona 500 and Ryder Cup.
For the Knicks, the best-of-seven series could be swept as they continue to match the Spurs in their build this time around. Game 4 could be a potential championship tilt, and ticket prices are also seasonal.
The entry price, per Gametime, is $10,097 as of Sunday night, and the maximum is $110,964.
The Commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, even commented on the prices of tickets for the Final, calling it “frustrating” that many people cannot afford to go. But as an entrepreneur at heart, Silver understands the market is booming given the Knicks’ vulnerable history.
In any case, players like Hart, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are not focused on who will be in this building, even if the president of the United States is sitting on the court. They’ve been steadfast in their response despite their 13-game winning streak, understanding that “The Job’s Not Done,” as the late, legendary Kobe Bryant said when the Los Angeles Lakers were up 2-0 in the finals against the Orlando Magic in 2009.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts after making a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, on May 21, 2026. (Photos by Vincent Carchietta/Imagn)
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The Lakers not only swept Orlando, but ended the streak in five games.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are hoping to make this streak even longer than the one the Magic did 17 years ago. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will tip off the Knicks at 8:30 pm ET on Monday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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