January 23, 2015
The 2015 NBA All-Star Game is just three weeks away, and ticket prices on the secondary market have continued to rise as the game draws closer. With Friday’s announcement of the starting lineups for both teams, Madison Square Garden is expected to be at full capacity for the February 15 game.
The average secondary market price has jumped 22.9% since last Friday’s average of $3,053.48 and NBA All-Star Game tickets on TicketIQ now have an average price of $3,753.26. The game’s cheapest seat is listed at $598. Fans shouldn’t anticipate the get-in price to drop much, though the absence of Western Conference starter Kobe Bryant due to a torn rotator cuff may impact prices over the weekend.
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Bryant is slated to miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery to repair his shoulder, which he tweaked in Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans. The Western Conference team won’t be void of talent to replace Bryant, however, as James Harden is expected to take his place in New York next month.
The East will boast two first-time starters in guards John Wall and Kyle Lowrie, who will make up the conference’s backcourt. LeBron James, Paul Gasol and hometown hero Carmelo Anthony will also start alongside Wall and Lowrie. Reserves have not been announced yet, but possible prospects include Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Kyrie Irving and Chris Bosh.
Among other starters on the Western squad are big men Marc Gasol and Anthony Davis as well as Blake Griffin and point guard Stephen Curry, who has led the Warriors to the best record in the NBA. Frontrunners to take reserve spots are Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, DeMarcus Cousins, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook.
Reserves will be announced next Thursday, January 29. For the best ticket deals and all All-Star information, check back here for more updates.
