Trae Young Fires Back at NYC Mayor After Ticket Price Joke

The Atlanta Hawks star responds to Zohran Mamdani's comments about high MSG ticket prices.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:18am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's colors.The heated rivalry between Trae Young and New York City basketball is set to reach new heights as the Hawks and Knicks clash in the NBA playoffs.Atlanta Today

NBA star Trae Young has fired back at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the mayor joked about blaming Young for the sky-high ticket prices at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks-Hawks playoff series. Young referenced a previous incident where a former NYC mayor criticized him, reminding Mamdani of the consequences that followed.

Why it matters

The back-and-forth between Young and the NYC mayor has heightened anticipation for the upcoming Knicks-Hawks playoff matchup, as their rivalry has a history of tensions. Young has proven to be a thorn in the side of New York basketball, and this latest exchange adds another layer of drama to the high-stakes series.

The details

With tickets for Knicks games at MSG costing $380-$400 for entry-level seats, compared to $80 for similar seats in Atlanta, Mamdani joked that he would 'blame Trae Young' for the price disparity. Young quickly responded on Instagram, warning Mamdani not to 'blame me when it happens again', referencing a previous incident where a former NYC mayor criticized Young, only for the Hawks star to dominate the Knicks in the playoffs.

  • In 2021, the Hawks met the Knicks in the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs.
  • The 2025 NBA season saw Trae Young lead the league in assists.

The players

Trae Young

A 27-year-old NBA star who has played for the Atlanta Hawks and is known for his on-court controversies and rivalries, particularly with New York teams.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who recently made a joke about blaming Trae Young for the high ticket prices at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks-Hawks playoff series.

Bill De Blasio

The former mayor of New York City who, in 2021, criticized Trae Young and asked him to 'stop hunting for fouls', only for Young to dominate the Knicks in the playoffs that year.

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What they’re saying

“Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain.”

— Trae Young, NBA Star

“I would say that I blame Trae Young... and I think it's always important to blame Trae Young.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

What’s next

Fans will be eager to see how the Trae Young-New York City mayor rivalry plays out in the upcoming Knicks-Hawks playoff series, as Young looks to once again prove his dominance over the Knicks and their home arena.

The takeaway

Trae Young's history of feuds with New York basketball figures adds an extra layer of drama to the upcoming Knicks-Hawks playoff matchup, as the star guard has shown he is not one to back down from a challenge or criticism, often using it as motivation to deliver dominant performances.