{"id":712505,"date":"2026-04-17T14:45:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T14:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712505\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T14:45:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T14:45:34","slug":"zohran-mamdani-reignites-new-york-knicks-feud-with-longtime-nemesis-before-nba-playoffs-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712505\/","title":{"rendered":"Zohran Mamdani reignites New York Knicks feud with longtime nemesis before NBA playoffs start"},"content":{"rendered":"

By OLIVER SALT, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:07 EDT, 17 April 2026 | Updated: 10:14 EDT, 17 April 2026 <\/p>\n

Zohran Mamdani blamed a longtime Knicks nemesis for the team’s expensive playoff tickets – before he clapped back at the New York City<\/a> Mayor on social media.<\/p>\n

Ahead of their Game 1 showdown with the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> on Friday, Mamdani was asked why ticket prices are so much higher at Madison Square Garden compared to their opponents’ State Farm Arena.<\/p>\n

‘First, I would say that I blame Trae Young,’ he said jokingly. ‘And I think it\u2019s always important to blame Trae Young.’<\/p>\n

Young, the former Hawk who was traded to the Washington Wizards<\/a> in January, has history with the Knicks and New York City Mayors.<\/p>\n

Back in 2021, then-Mayor\u00a0Bill de Blasio<\/a> fired shots at the Atlanta star by telling him to ‘play basketball the right way and ‘stop hunting for fouls’ against New York – before he went on to inspire the Hawks to a 3-2 series victory.<\/p>\n

Young therefore responded to Mamdani with a word of warning five years on from De Blasio’s gaffe, despite the fact he will not be facing the Knicks this time around.<\/p>\n

\"Zohran <\/p>\n

Zohran Mamdani blamed a longtime Knicks nemesis for the team’s expensive playoff tickets<\/p>\n

\"Former <\/p>\n

Former Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young clapped back after being called out by the Mayor<\/p>\n

‘Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this\u2026. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain,’ he wrote.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for the Knicks, they will not be reunited with their infamous tormentor this season after Washington failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mamdani eventually gave a more serious answer to the question about ticket prices at MSG.<\/p>\n

The democratic socialist, who leaned on Knicks advertising in his promotional campaign last year, said he believes sports are unfortunately more of a ‘luxury commodity’ and wished tickets were ‘far more affordably priced.’<\/p>\n

The cheapest ticket on Ticketmaster for Game 1 in New York is priced at\u00a0$353, almost $270 more than the cheapest Game 3 prices for next Thursday in Atlanta at $84.<\/p>\n

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