Watching NBA Basketball in New York is an invigorating experience. Basketball season runs from October to April. You can support either the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn or the New York Knicks in Manhattan. Even if you’re not a basketball fan, you won’t regret buying tickets because the atmosphere at a game is awesome. Depending on whether overtime is necessary, games last between 2 and 2.5 hours. With a drink in one hand and a hot dog in the other, attending a basketball game is a great way to feel like a real New Yorker!
There are three basketball teams in New York:
🏀 National Basketball Association (NBA): New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets
🏀 (WNBA): New York Liberty
Eric's Index
- 1 New York Basketball Teams
- 2 New York Basketball for Beginners
- 3 NBA Basketball Season
- 4 Basketball Games Calendar in New York
- 5 FAQ
- 5.1 What basketball teams are in New York?
- 5.2 How much are basketball tickets in New York?
- 5.3 Should I go to the Knicks or the Nets game?
- 5.4 What are the differences between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets?
- 5.5 Is going to a basketball game in New York a fun experience if I don't know anything about it?
New York Basketball Teams
New York is the proud home to two big NBA (National Basketball Association) teams, the Knicks and the Nets, with the New York Knicks (officially known as the New York Knickerbockers) being the most famous.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan is the Knicks’ stamping ground, and alongside the twenty thousand ordinary spectators, you can regularly see world-famous stars sitting courtside to encourage their team.
If New York Knicks tickets are a little out of your price range, check the calendar for a Brooklyn Nets game. Barclays Center in Brooklyn is home to the Nets, and tickets to see this team are often cheaper. You could even bump into avid Nets supporters Jay Z and Beyoncé.
The New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are rivals, predominantly because they play in the same city. When they play each other, it’s known as “Clash of the Boroughs”. The Knicks are my favourite team, and one of the reasons for this is where they play: at Madison Square Garden, situated in the heart of the city, each game is an extraordinary experience.
WNBA in New York
If you are visiting New York when the Knicks or Nets are out of season, then you can visit a WNBA game. The Women’s National Basketball Association has one basketball team that plays in New York: the New York Liberty. The New York Liberty plays in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The WNBA season is from May until late September, when the WNBA Playoffs are played.
See the 2025 basketball schedule here
New York Basketball for Beginners
Each NBA game commences with the singing of the national anthem, a remarkable experience which I definitely recommend attending.
A basketball game consists of two opposing teams of five players, so there are a total of 10 players on the court at one time. The game is split into four 12-minute quarters. The aim of the game is to get the ball through the metal hoop (basket) whilst obstructing the opposing team from doing the same.
There is a short break between each quarter with an abundance of entertainment provided, so expect to see dunking contests, kids playing basketball, and performances from the Knicks City Dancers or the Brooklynettes (yes, that’s their real name).
Rules
- The players can dribble the ball over the whole court. Once they are over the midline, they are not allowed back with the ball.
- If a player stands still with the ball, he must pass it to another player or try to score a basket.
- If he scores from within the circle, the team get two points, from outside the circle, the score is worth three points, and a free throw is good for one point.
- The team that ends the game with the most points wins. A draw is not a permitted outcome, so in that case, there is overtime.
NBA Basketball Season
The NBA basketball season runs from October to April. Before the regular season begins, teams play a few practice games. The preseason usually starts at the beginning of October.
Pre-season tickets 2025
During the NBA pre-season games, you get to experience an basketball game with real atmosphere, but at a cheaper price than the regular season games.
In 2025, NBA pre-season games in New York are taking place on:
New York Playoff Tickets
The playoffs are the final leg of the tournament and begin in April. The NBA finals between the top two teams are played in June. You can buy Knicks and Nets Playoffs tickets online if one of the New York teams reaches a top spot during the season. The playoffs tickets are in high demand, so expect them to be more expensive than normal games.
