New York Mayor Blames Trae Young for High Knicks Playoff Ticket Prices

Zohran Mamdani takes humorous jab at former Hawks star over postseason ticket affordability

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:49am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted basketball game between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a palette of navy, orange, and red.Mayor Mamdani's lighthearted jabs at Trae Young reflect the ongoing rivalry between the Knicks and Hawks, as well as the broader issue of ticket affordability in professional sports.NYC Today

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani jokingly blamed former Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young for the high cost of New York Knicks playoff tickets, continuing his campaign focus on affordability for local sports fans.

Why it matters

Mamdani's comments highlight the ongoing challenge of ticket prices pricing out average fans from attending major sporting events in New York City, a key issue the mayor campaigned on. As the Knicks return to the playoffs, the mayor is using the opportunity to keep the spotlight on this problem.

The details

In a speech, Mamdani directly called out Trae Young, who was traded from the Hawks to the Washington Wizards in January, as the scapegoat for the high Knicks playoff ticket prices. Mamdani said, 'I would say that I blame Trae Young... and I think it's always important to blame Trae Young.' The mayor has previously criticized ticket affordability for other major sporting events in New York, such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

  • The Knicks will face the Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Mamdani was elected as mayor of New York City on November 4, 2025 and was inaugurated on January 1, 2026.
  • Trae Young was traded from the Hawks to the Wizards in January 2026 after eight seasons in Atlanta.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, elected in November 2025 on a platform focused on affordability, including ticket prices for local sports teams.

Trae Young

Former star player for the Atlanta Hawks, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January 2026 after eight seasons in Atlanta.

New York Knicks

The NBA team based in New York City, who are returning to the playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA team based in Atlanta, who will face the Knicks in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“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

The Knicks and Hawks will tip off their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The takeaway

Mayor Mamdani's lighthearted jab at Trae Young over high Knicks playoff ticket prices underscores his broader campaign focus on making major sporting events more affordable and accessible for average New Yorkers, an issue that will likely continue to be a priority during his tenure.