Lakers ticket prices skyrocket
Fans really, really want to see LeBron James break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.
Ticket prices are skyrocketing for Los Angeles Lakers games next week. Both games are now almost certainly out of reach for the average fan.
James was just 89 points off Abdul-Jabbar’s goalscoring record on Wednesday, meaning he will likely do so next week barring injury or rest. The Lakers have two home games next week, first against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and then against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
The ticket prices for these two games are now ridiculous.
All data from Vivid Seats (h/t CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger)
Lakers vs. Thunder | February 7
Lowest price: $326
Average price: $1,152
An increase since season opener: 390%
Lakers vs. Bucks | February 9
Lowest price: $357
Average price: $1,302
An increase since the season opener: 175%
If James doesn’t get there by Thursday’s game, his next move will be Saturday against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. The average price for this game is over $850 – which is lower than it was at the start of the year – although it’s sure to rise if the record is in play.
Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points during his playing career, and he’s held the record since 1984. James wasn’t even born when Abdul-Jabbar first broke the record. James, who is in his 20th season in the league, has averaged 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists this season with the Lakers. He also recorded his first triple-double of the season on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks, making him the first player in league history to do so in his 20th season. James also passed Mark Jackson and Steve Nash for fourth on the NBA’s all-time assists list.
