Game 7 today! It’s the experienced squad vs. the new kids on the block. The 15 players on OKC’s roster have played in a combined three Game 7s. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray alone have played in 12.

But let’s talk off-the-court stories…

Today’s Lineup

💰 Bank-Breaking Ticket Prices

There’s nothing quite like being in your favorite team’s home arena, but increasingly, NBA tickets cost an arm and a leg.

To just get in, Madison Square Garden costs the most out of any venue in the Association. The average get-in price was $186, 29% more than the next highest team. That’s just for the nosebleeds and the chance to see a tiny, loud dot that might be Spike Lee.

The most expensive postseason game was Game 3 of Knicks-Celtics, with a get-in price of $704. If you want to attend the first Knicks Eastern Conference Finals game in 25 years, you might have to start liquidating your assets… 🫠

Of course, this is all about New York being one of the NBA’s biggest markets. More people means more fans, which means a higher demand for a fixed number of tickets. For example, Nuggets-Thunder Game 7’s get-in price currently sits around $170, only 1/3 of Knicks-Celtics Game 6. And on the other end of the spectrum from the Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers fans are offered the most affordable tickets in the league, with an average get-in price of just $16 for the season.

Meanwhile, seats for high-profile games at MSG and Crypto.com Arena reach astronomical prices, with some tickets selling for over $54,500. 🤯

For context, $54K could get you a year of rent in Manhattan, a used Lamborghini, or 5,450 Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supremes. Who's to say which of those is best?

🌟 The Next Great Celeb NBA Fan

We realize we’re a little Knicks heavy today, but the stars were shining in the funniest way this week at The Garden.

First off, Timothée Chalamet is the Victor Wembanyama of celebrity NBA fans. The 29-year-old movie star once chased down Landry Fields and Andy Rautins in 2010 for photos in Grand Central, and now you can find him courtside for every Knicks home game this playoffs. 

His fellow fans will literally not let him go, and he’s not alone… #LisanAlGaib

Some couples hard launch through an Instagram post or joint party. Stefon Diggs and Cardi B let the world know they’re dating by attending Game 4 of Knicks-Celtics. Unfortunately for Diggs, his Celtics lost. But he seems to be winning in other ways. 🤷‍♂️

Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of Kobe and Vanessa, just graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California this weekend! Natalia is also a professional model, having signed to IMG Models, and she donned the Kobe logo on her graduation stole:

It’s been over five years since Kobe and Gigi’s passing, and we take solace in the fact that his daughter Natalia seems to be thriving in life just like her father did. Mamba 4L! 🐍❤️

Signing Off

We’re already mentally preparing ourselves for Game 7, just like Chet Holmgren is probably preparing to play 23.9 seconds of perfect defense only for Jokic to catapult some ridiculous shot through the hoop. Can’t wait! 🫡 

Conor Geelan