Zohran Mamdani blamed a longtime Knicks nemesis for the team’s expensive playoff tickets – before he clapped back at the New York City Mayor on social media.
Ahead of their Game 1 showdown with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Mamdani was asked why ticket prices are so much higher at Madison Square Garden compared to their opponents’ State Farm Arena.
‘First, I would say that I blame Trae Young,’ he said jokingly. ‘And I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young.’
Young, the former Hawk who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January, has history with the Knicks and New York City Mayors.
Back in 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio fired shots at the Atlanta star by telling him to ‘play basketball the right way and ‘stop hunting for fouls’ against New York – before he went on to inspire the Hawks to a 3-2 series victory.
Young therefore responded to Mamdani with a word of warning five years on from De Blasio’s gaffe, despite the fact he will not be facing the Knicks this time around.
Zohran Mamdani blamed a longtime Knicks nemesis for the team’s expensive playoff tickets
Former Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young clapped back after being called out by the Mayor
‘Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this…. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain,’ he wrote.
Fortunately for the Knicks, they will not be reunited with their infamous tormentor this season after Washington failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2026.
Mamdani eventually gave a more serious answer to the question about ticket prices at MSG.
The democratic socialist, who leaned on Knicks advertising in his promotional campaign last year, said he believes sports are unfortunately more of a ‘luxury commodity’ and wished tickets were ‘far more affordably priced.’
The cheapest ticket on Ticketmaster for Game 1 in New York is priced at $353, almost $270 more than the cheapest Game 3 prices for next Thursday in Atlanta at $84.
