The New York Knicks have confirmed that they will host 15,000 spectators for Game 1 and 2 of the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. Likewise, the New York franchise has hung the ‘sold out’ sign since they went on sale last Wednesday.
The event will be among the largest indoor crowds in all of North American sport after Governor Andrew Cuomo eased restrictions due to the good rate of vaccination they treasure.
The owner of the Knicks, James Dolan, has been euphoric with the response of the fans and has ensured that more than 90% of the spectators who attend the big event, will have at least one dose of the vaccine against COVID- 19.
“I hope all of the sports and entertainment industries are listening because the public has spoken,” Dolan told the NY Post. “This overwhelming response from Knicks supporters, of whom 90% will be vaccinated, should silence those who doubt. It’s time to start reserving seats for events and fill out our schedules, so stay tuned. We want to thank Governor Cuomo for this leap forward. I knew we could do this, and not just for ourselves, but for all of New York, ”he explained.
The first confrontation will be on May 23 from 01:00 a.m., and the second on May 26 from 01:30 a.m. The next two will travel to Atlanta where the Hawks have confirmed 7,600 spectators in their fiefdom, as the restrictions in Georgia are not as lax.
“We are excited,” Julius Randle admitted. “It will be quite full. It will be a lot of fun just because of the energy that our fans will bring. So we’ve gone from having no viewers to an even greater number right now. I think this is the perfect moment ”, he highlighted.
In the last 22 games of the regular season, the Garden barely allowed 10% of its capacity, that is, around 2,000 spectators per game. Then a rise was announced to 13,000, which will finally be 15,000 seats. (GG) (NBA Maniacs)