With Counterculture Phenom Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks Continue To Create Buzz On Secondary Ticket Market

KP, Three Six Latvia, Godzingis, The Flamingo – rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis has more nicknames than NBA seasons he’s played in, and for New York Knicks fans, that could be a good thing.

The 20-year-old Liepaja native was initially received with deafening boos at the 2015 NBA Draft after the Knicks selected him fourth overall, but a long string of solid play and an infectious swagger have transformed him into something like a folk hero in the Big Apple. Porzingis is a wiry 240 pounds though uses his 7’3” stature and impressive jump shot to drive home the point that his potential is limitless in The World’s Most Famous Arena.

The secondary ticket market has taken notice, too. While the Knicks have struggled as of late to knock them down a few pegs in the Eastern Conference, ticket prices at Madison Square Garden are the most expensive they have been in the last three years. According to secondary market ticket data, the average price for Knicks tickets at MSG through the team’s final 11 home games is $286.15. That’s a significant increase from last season’s average of $209.30, and it should only continue to grow as the Knicks evolve as a team with their plethora of talent.

Seven remaining games at Madison Square Garden own an average price above $300. Those games come against marquee opponents like the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. Even the Knicks’ cheapest home contest is garnering big ticket demand. In fact, the most affordable Knicks game comes against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 1 and owns a $184.66 average – considerably more expensive than what the Blazers are averaging across the whole season on the secondary market.

With the ticket market thriving in Midtown Manhattan, there has been a renewed interest in watching the Knicks this year as they showcase their star rookie. New York City typically welcomes 56 million tourists each year, and a playoff-contending Knicks team will likely heighten attendance rates as the season progresses. Out-of-towners, fear not – there are countless hotel options to choose from when arranging a trip to the Big Apple.

The boos that rained down on Porzingis that June night at Barclays Center have since turned to cheers of excitement just over the East River at Madison Square Garden. The rookie has already drawn comparisons to future Hall of Famer and fellow European Dirk Nowitzki and will be in serious consideration for the Rookie of the Year Award if he can maintain his success on the court through the remainder of the season.

And who knows, maybe he’ll hear those same cheers in Springfield, Massachusetts when it’s all said and done.

For more information, check out this New York City Sports Interactive Graphic which features the history and nearby attractions for these venues.