How New Yorkers celebrated the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years

As the first NBA Finals home game in 27 years approached, Knicks fans had to confront two problems: getting inside Madison Square Garden and watching from outside. Prices were prohibitive for most, and President Donald Trump’s attendance prompted enhanced security restrictions.

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For those who were able to get into the arena, they paid a pretty penny. General sales to the public were limited and even before the Western Conference champion was crowned, Knicks home game tickets for the championship round were costing thousands of dollars.

NBC News spoke with fans heading into Game 3, and all said they spent between $1,350 and $20,000 for seats.

“I’ve been a Knicks fan ever since I moved to the U.S. when I was 9-years-old,” said business owner Cara Swaby, who had seats near the courtside that cost $20,000. “I used to watch Patrick Ewing and John Starks.”

Not everyone had to pay that much money, however. Arden, a doctor and Knicks season ticket holder for 23 years, said he paid $1,350 each. Those same seats he said were going for $20,000 for Game 3 and $25,000 for Game 4 on the secondary market but he decided to keep them given the magnitude of this experience.

Some fans were lucky to score free tickets, such as through a lottery or as a gift. A mother and son, Torra and Raquis Gaddy, received tickets from a friend who was not able to use them. Raquis, 26, hasn’t seen the Knicks reach the finals before and was looking forward to sharing the moment with his mom.

Jamie Cavallo was part of a three-person group outside Madison Square Garden that was hoping to score last-minute tickets from a third-party retailer. When she added three of the cheapest tickets to their cart less than an hour from tip-off, the price totaled $25,000 — exceeding what they were willing to spend.