NBA star hits back at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for blaming him over expensive playoff tickets

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The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks are set to play in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked why it is so much more expensive to attend Knicks’ playoff games compared to the Hawks.

Mamdani jokingly cited Knicks’ foe Trae Young, who starred for the Hawks when they beat the Knicks in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, as the reason for the expensive tickets.

"I would say that I blame Trae Young, and I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young," Mamdani said at a news conference.

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Washington Wizards guard Trae Young and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani  (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Mamdani put the blame on Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January. Even though Young isn’t with the Hawks, he caught wind of Mamdani’s remarks and fired back at the mayor.

"Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City has my name in his mouth during a time like this. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain," Young posted to X with a laughing, crying emoji and a hand emoji.

Regardless of whether Mamdani knows Young is no longer a member of the Hawks, it is not the first time a mayor of New York City has shaded Young. Bill de Blasio told Young to stop hunting for fouls during that 2021 playoff series.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers remarks at the Service Employees International Union 32BJ SEIU rally on Park Avenue in Manhattan on April 15, 2026. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu)

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