Knicks tickets vs. LeBron James reach astronomical new NBA heights

TORONTO — You better have deep pockets to see LeBron James at MSG. 

Tickets for Sunday’s Lakers-Knicks showdown have been purchased for an average of $912, according to TickPick, which is the most expensive in the NBA since Kobe Bryant’s final game in 2016.  

James has not announced his retirement, but, at 41 years old with an uncertain contract future, it might be his final appearance at his favorite arena. 

LeBron James reacts during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Jan. 28, 2026 in Cleveland. Getty Images

According to TickPick, the price of Knicks-Lakers is 20 percent higher than the second-most expensive game this season, which is Warriors at Lakers on Feb. 7 ($760).

The tickets for Kobe’s final game — which was in L.A. against the Jazz — averaged $1,137.

LeBron’s previous game at MSG was Feb. 1, 2025, the same day Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers.

For however long Guerschon Yabusele remains with the Knicks, coach Mike Brown wants the forward to accept his minutes and be a good teammate. 

“He’s going to play whatever minutes we give him,” Brown said. “Everybody just has to keep playing hard on both ends of the floor, taking quality shots, trying to rebound. Whether he gets 10 minutes, two minutes, zero minutes, he gotta keep staying in the game and being ready while cheering on his teammates like everybody else.”

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According to sources, the Knicks are talking with multiple teams ahead of the deadline trying to unload Yabusele. He was their big summer signing to fortify the bench but his Knicks career never got off the ground. 

He’s been a fringe part of the rotation recently, failing to log more than nine minutes in seven of the last eight games. 

Guerschon Yabusele goes up for a layup during the Knicks’ road win over the Raptors on Jan. 28, 2026. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Part of the problem with trying to trade Yabusele is his player option for next season which is approaching $6 million. 

Josh Hart (ankle soreness) and Miles McBride (ankle injury management) are both listed as questionable for Friday night’s game against the Trail Blazers. 

Both were also questionable before Wednesday’s win over the Raptors, with only Hart playing. 

Blazers star Deni Avdija is also questionable for Friday with a lower back strain. 

The Knicks game in Memphis has been moved to April Fools’ Day after previous Grizzlies games were postponed because of the snowstorm. 

It will now be part of a four-game road trip and on the second night of a back-to-back after a game in Houston. The original game was also part of a back-to-back set and scheduled for March 18.