Knicks sell out 1st playoff home games since 2013

In a development completely unsurprising to the Big Apple's long-suffering basketball fans, the New York Knicks have sold out their upcoming pair of home playoff games versus the Atlanta Hawks on May 23 and 26, the team announced Thursday.

Capacity at Madison Square Garden will be limited to 15,000 for each game due to social distancing protocols. The team expects almost 90% of attendees will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

All attendees will be required to "present valid proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test, taken within 72 hours of the game," according to the team.

Knicks and MSG owner James Dolan touted the upcoming games as the largest indoor gatherings in the state since the start of the pandemic.

"I hope everyone in sports and entertainment is listening because the public has spoken - they are fine with getting vaccinated and want to get back to the experiences they love. ... It's time to start booking events and filling up our schedules," Dolan said in a statement.

The games will mark the Knicks' first playoff action since 2012-13. New York won 54 games during that regular season before reaching the second round, where a Knicks team led by then-franchise star Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd, and JR Smith lost 4-2 to the Indiana Pacers.