New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew laughs on Thursday when he quipped that Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was to blame for the steep playoff ticket prices at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks' first-round series against the Hawks. Speaking to reporters, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, was asked about the disparity in get-in prices between the Knicks' home games at MSG and the Hawks' at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
"First, I would say that I blame Trae Young," Mamdani said jokingly, prompting chuckles from those gathered. "And I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young." The remark was a playful nod to Young's status as a longtime antagonist to Knicks fans, stemming from heated playoff encounters and memorable on-court antics.
Mamdani then shifted to a more serious tone, lamenting how professional sports have become a "luxury commodity" in recent years. He expressed a desire for tickets to be "far more affordably priced," highlighting the growing inaccessibility of live events for average fans. As of Thursday evening, the cheapest ticket on Ticketmaster for Game 1 on Saturday at MSG was listed at $353, while seats for Game 3 next Thursday in Atlanta started at just $84.
The Knicks organization and Madison Square Garden did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The New York Post, leaving Mamdani's critique without an official rebuttal from the home team. The high prices reflect broader trends in NBA playoff ticketing, where demand in major markets like New York often drives costs skyward, especially for high-stakes matchups.
Trae Young, no stranger to New York banter, quickly fired back on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The guard, who was traded from the Hawks to the Washington Wizards in the middle of the 2025-26 season, posted: "Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this…. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain."
Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this…. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain
Young's response evoked memories of the 2021 playoffs, when he led the Hawks to a first-round victory over the Knicks in five games. In that series, Young averaged an impressive 29.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, cementing his villainous reputation among Knicks supporters. The turning point came in Game 1, where Young scored 32 points, including a dramatic buzzer-beater that stunned the MSG crowd.
At the time, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio waded into the fray during a press briefing shortly after that Game 1 loss. "This is very serious, want to get this message to Trae Young on behalf of the people of New York City and anybody that cares about playing basketball the right way: Stop hunting for fouls, Trae," de Blasio said, drawing widespread attention to the rivalry.
De Blasio's plea had little effect, as Young continued to dominate, helping Atlanta eliminate New York. The series also birthed one of the NBA's most infamous fan chants, with Knicks supporters repeatedly yelling "F–k Trae Young" throughout the games—a taunt that has persisted in arenas to this day whenever Young faces the team.
Young's antagonism toward the Knicks didn't end there. During the 2024-25 season, he contributed to another Knicks defeat in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, then infamously stepped on the New York logo at midcourt before mimicking the roll of dice to signify his team's advancement to Las Vegas, while the Knicks were eliminated. That moment further fueled the bad blood between Young and the franchise.
Now with the Wizards, who failed to qualify for the 2026 playoffs, Young won't be suiting up against the Knicks this postseason. His next opportunity to renew the feud could come in the 2026-27 season, depending on his player option decision with Washington. At 27 years old, Young remains one of the league's premier point guards, known for his sharpshooting and playmaking, but his future with the Wizards remains uncertain amid ongoing roster shifts.
Mamdani's lighthearted jab arrives at a pivotal time for the Knicks, who enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference after a solid regular season. The series against the No. 5 Hawks marks a rematch of sorts, with both teams eager to advance deeper into the bracket. Atlanta, led by young talents like Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher, hopes to channel the spirit of their 2021 upset.
The ticket price gap underscores economic divides in sports fandom. While New York's vibrant market supports premium pricing, Atlanta's more modest setup allows for broader access. Economists and fan advocates have long criticized such disparities, arguing they alienate working-class supporters who fuel the league's passion.
Mamdani, elected mayor in 2025 on a platform emphasizing affordability and equity, has made sports accessibility a minor but notable part of his agenda. His comments on Thursday align with broader calls for teams to cap resale prices or allocate more affordable seats, though NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has defended market-driven pricing as reflective of fan enthusiasm.
As Game 1 approaches on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, the focus will inevitably return to the court, where Knicks stars like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges aim to exorcise past demons against a Hawks squad hungry for redemption. Young's absence from the series might temper the personal stakes, but his social media shadow looms large over the matchup.
Whether Mamdani's blame game influences the series outcome remains to be seen, but it has already reignited conversations about Young's polarizing legacy in New York. For Knicks fans, the chant may echo anew, even without their chief antagonist on the floor. The playoffs promise drama, and this verbal volley is just the opening tip.