{"id":201098,"date":"2026-04-17T19:55:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T19:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/201098\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T19:55:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T19:55:18","slug":"nba-star-hits-back-at-nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani-for-blaming-him-over-expensive-playoff-tickets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/201098\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA star hits back at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for blaming him over expensive playoff tickets"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks are set to play in the first round of the NBA playoffs and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani<\/a> was asked why it is so much more expensive to attend Knicks\u2019 playoff games compared to the Hawks.<\/p>\n

Mamdani jokingly cited Knicks\u2019 foe Trae Young, who starred for the Hawks when they beat the Knicks<\/a> in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, as the reason for the expensive tickets.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say that I blame Trae Young, and I think it\u2019s always important to blame Trae Young,\u201d Mamdani said at a press conference.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n

Mamdani put the blame on Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards<\/a> in January. Even though Young isn\u2019t with the Hawks, he caught wind of Mamdani\u2019s remarks and fired back at the mayor.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City has my name in his mouth during a time like this. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain,\u201d Young posted to X with a laughing crying emoji and a hand emoji.<\/p>\n

Regardless of whether Mamdani knows Young is no longer a member of the Hawks, it is not the first time the mayor of New York City has shaded Young, as Bill de Blasio<\/a> told Young to stop hunting for fouls during that 2021 playoff series.<\/p>\n

MIKE BREEN SAYS FANS \u2018DESERVE TO BE THROWN A BONE\u2019 AS NBA CUTS ALL LOCAL BROADCASTS FROM THE PLAYOFFS<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hawks defeated the Knicks 4-1 in that series. The Knicks lost that series as the No. 4 seed, while the Hawks were the No. 5 seed.<\/p>\n

This time around, the Knicks are the No. 3 seed, and the Hawks are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.<\/p>\n

Mamdani said he is \u201cstill confident and hopeful\u201d of the Knicks winning a championship this season, and wishes the playoff tickets were more affordably priced.<\/p>\n

The Knicks play the first game of the series against the Hawks<\/a> at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s sports coverage on X<\/a>, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n