"This is not just another game. This is the Mecca": LeBron James' possible farewell to Madison Square Garden drives up prices

There is an evident reason why ticket prices are skyrocketing. This Sunday's game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers could go down in NBA history. The Madison Square Garden may host LeBron James's last game on the most iconic stage in basketball.

The Knicks, coming off a streak of five consecutive wins, will face a Lakers team marked by uncertainty about the future of their star player. LeBron will be a free agent at the end of the season, and as of today, he has not confirmed whether he will keep playing, stay in Los Angeles, or start a new chapter elsewhere.

This uncertainty has directly impacted the market. According to TickPick, the average resale price for the game is $912, making it the most expensive NBA game since Kobe Bryant's last game in 2016. The minimum ticket price is set at $455.

In the Knicks' locker room, there are voices familiar with what it means to share a team with LeBron. Josh Hart played a season with him on the Lakers, while Mike Brown coached him for five seasons during LeBron's first stint in Cleveland.

“It was a great experience,” Hart explained to The Post. “I learned a lot on the court, about execution, but also about taking care of the body and preparing it for a season of over 82 games. If this is his last game at MSG, we're talking about a historic career. Hopefully, he doesn't go crazy in front of the city and the Garden.”

Hart also had a clear request for the New York fans. “Obviously, they should give him a good ovation,” he noted.

Mike Brown, who reached the NBA Finals with LeBron in the 2006-07 season before being swept by the Spurs, also emphasized the player's stature. “He has to be, if he isn't, one of the smartest guys I've been around, in terms of reading the game and feelings,” he stated. “I’m sure he's among the top three in that aspect. An incredible talent, an incredible person. He has done a lot for the community and a lot for the NBA.”

LeBron, now 41 years old in his 23rd season in the league, has always had a special relationship with the Madison Square Garden. He has called it his “favorite playground,” even proclaiming himself the King of New York and dominating the World’s Most Famous Arena for years. In 32 games there, his record stands at 24 wins and 9 losses.

His history includes memorable performances: 50 points in 2008, 52 in 2009, a triple-double in 2010, another in 2023, and many more standout nights. “I can't say this is like any other away game,” he once said. “Because this is the Mecca.”

This week, LeBron was visibly emotional when the Cavaliers paid tribute to him with a video in what could also have been his last game in Cleveland. After Cleveland and Miami, Madison Square Garden is the most symbolic stage where he could be bidding farewell as a visitor this season.

The Lakers' Challenging Year

Meanwhile, the Lakers' season continues to be marked by inconsistency. Luka Doncic has become the face of the franchise, and LeBron has become the team's third-leading scorer, even behind Austin Reaves. Nevertheless, his numbers remain solid: 21.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Impressive figures for a 41-year-old player who, once again, is on the brink of turning a night at Madison Square Garden into something far beyond just a game.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Esto no es un partido más. Esto es la Meca”: El posible adiós de LeBron James al Madison Square Garden dispara los precios