The NBA season is still over two months away, but the league recently announced its schedule for the 2025-26 regular season, including some exciting opening night fixtures like the Lakers facing the Warriors and the Rockets facing the defending champions, the Thunder.
Following the initiation of ticket sales for these games, the Lakers vs. Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in February was trending towards becoming the most expensive ticket prices for the season in terms of average prices across several sections.
The ticket prices started at $474, and the average price across all sections went up to $1,138 months before the game. It is anticipated that when the fixture grows closer, the prices for this game’s tickets will further spike.
NBA fans were not the most delighted to see these ticket prices as they took to social media and expressed their displeasure at seeing this update.
“Overpriced. Overrated.”
“Paying $1100 for nosebleeds for a regular season game. These owners gotta go to hell.”
“That ticket is more than the whole WNBA’s combined salary.”
“Who’s paying that much to see LeBron still?”
“True Knicks fans can’t even afford it.”
“Why?? Nobody wants to see this.”
While most fans were flabbergasted at the ticket prices, some even justified it due to LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the “bright lights” of Madison Square Garden.
This game could potentially become LeBron James’ last game at Madison Square Garden, especially in a Lakers uniform. Therefore, some fans believe it justifies the price of the tickets.
“MSG tax + Bron & Luka under the bright lights of New York, no wonder it’s the priciest ticket of the season.”
“People in New York want to see LeBron more than they wanna see Brunson.”
“The average price is worth paying for.”
Luka Doncic has a 4-2 record away against the Knicks, while James has a 23-9 record at Madison Square Garden in his career. This could most likely be James’s last game at the MSG in a Lakers uniform as he contemplates retirement after the coming season.
As a free agent following the 2025-26 season, James could continue playing on another team to return to Madison Square Garden, as the Lakers are not expected to offer him an extension. Or he could retire and never play at Madison Square Garden again.
Some fans believe this is a justified price range, especially considering how exorbitant Knicks’ tickets get during the Playoffs. Therefore, the Knicks still consider facing LeBron James’ team a primetime fixture, and despite being unhappy, most fans will end up paying the exorbitant prices to come to watch LeBron James and Luka Doncic play at Madison Square Garden.
