The highly anticipated game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night was already set to draw a massive crowd, given the longstanding rivalry between these iconic NBA teams. Both teams currently sit at the No. 2 spots in their respective conferences, adding further fuel to the excitement.
However, ticket prices for the 8:30 p.m. ET showdown on ABC have reached unprecedented levels, particularly from a Boston standpoint. According to TickPick, tickets for this Saturday’s game are commanding the highest prices ever seen for a Celtics home game.
Courtside seats are reportedly fetching up to $23,112, while the cheapest available tickets at TD Garden are priced at $485. The average ticket price for the game stands at $731.
The upcoming Lakers versus Celtics clash has also become the seventh most expensive regular-season NBA game on record, as per data from TickPick. It’s notable that all games within the top 10 list feature the Lakers.
“It’s what the fans want to see,” remarked Jayson Tatum, reflecting on his impressive 35-point performance in Thursday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
In their previous encounter earlier this season, the Lakers secured a convincing 117-96 win over the Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 23. Anthony Davis led the home team with 24 points, while Kristaps Porziņģis top-scored for the visitors with 22 points.
However, Saturday’s game will feature a revamped Lakers roster following the acquisition of Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Davis. Dončić’s presence has been instrumental in the Lakers’ current eight-game winning streak and their strong performance since his arrival.
With a 40-21 record, the Lakers hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, narrowly edging out the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Celtics, with a 45-18 record, are also in top form, having won eight of their last 11 games in February.
The Lakers and Celtics will face off at Boston’s TD Garden in what many believe could be a preview of the NBA Finals. The highly anticipated game is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, airing on ABC.
