Last Updated on October 10, 2026 by George Pavlopoulos
Watching an NBA game live was one of the must-dos on my recent trip to New York. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I have a thing for sports (for example, I watched an Athletic Club match in Bilbao). However, since I’ve never been to the United States, I haven’t had the chance to watch an NBA game in person.
A couple of weeks before visiting the States, I checked the NBA game calendar and saw a game scheduled at the iconic Madison Square Garden. The 2025 NBA playoffs had just started, and the fifth game between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons was planned at MSG. Although Game 5 hadn’t been confirmed (if a team won four consecutive games, the game wouldn’t take place), I decided to buy tickets.
The Knicks won Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, but after a tight match, the Pistons won Game 2. Since this was a best-of-four series, the Pistons’ victory meant Game 5 would take place. The Knicks won both away games in Detroit, so Game 5 at MSG could be the last of the series.
And I had tickets for that game.
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In-person NBA experience at MSG: Knicks vs Pistons (Game 5)
Watching an NBA game live gives you access to a spectacular show. Compared to a game in Europe, you might miss the fans’ passion, tension, and dedication; here, it feels more like entertainment. Of course, several aspects are better when you watch an in-person NBA game in the States, and that’s what I’ll focus on in this article.
*If there’s no match available during your visit, you can still glimpse the venue’s atmosphere by booking a fantastic MSG tour here.
Buying tickets for an NBA game
First things first: if you are up for watching an NBA game live, get ready to splurge. NBA tickets are pricey, and depending on the game and venue, you may spend what you’d spend on a season ticket in Europe. Moreover, prices can be really steep if you are about to watch a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
As I mentioned, I attended Game 5 of the first playoff round. While most tickets are sold as season tickets, you can often find some free seats available. These will either be scattered free seats or tickets on resale. The latter means some season ticket holders can’t attend the game and sell their seats for that game.
The official portal for NBA ticket sales is Ticketmaster, and that’s where most people purchase their seats. However, two other websites offer tickets: Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. As a newbie in NBA games, I bought mine from Ticketmaster. However, I enjoyed checking Vivid Seats because they show you the visibility from the seat you are about to purchase. This great feature helped me decide where to buy a ticket.
As for the price, I’ve already told you it’s steep: my seat at Gate 212 costs $310. The cheapest tickets for the game started at 270$, while the most expensive cost thousands of dollars.
Long story short, the tickets were bought, Game 5 was on, and I took the subway to Penn Station and the iconic Madison Square Garden on a sunny afternoon in New York.
Knicks vs Pistons Game 5 at MSG
Unlike in Europe, the gates open an hour before the game. Since the match was scheduled for 19:30, I arrived more than an hour early. I wanted to experience the pre-game atmosphere, take some photos of the MSG exterior, and have enough time to buy some merchandise.
I would like to note that all the images in this article were taken using my iPhone, which I have lately also used for travel photography. NBA games at Madison Square Garden (MSG) have a strict policy on camera use. DSLRs are not allowed at the venue, so I left my camera at the hotel to avoid any unnecessary stress. I know I could risk bringing the camera and see what happens, but I preferred not to take the risk. The same goes for backpacks.
So, charge your phone, leave the bag at home, and prepare for a unique experience.
Entering the MSG for an NBA game + The Merch
The process of entering the MSG is smooth and fast. You have to download the ticket you purchased to your phone’s wallet (Apple or Google) and present it. There’s also an airport-style security check before entering the venue. I went through quickly; some people with handbags were asked for additional checks.
After entering, a kiosk sells merchandise, and next to it, you’ll see the official Knicks store. The latter is open daily, but it was packed beyond words an hour before the game. Therefore, I queued at the kiosk and bought a match program and a Knicks pin. The prices were similar to what you’ll pay for merchandise in Europe.
After presenting the tickets, you can use the escalators to reach your seat. Since the New York Knickerbockers’ home ground is enormous, finding your gate will take some time. Before entering the gate, you can buy drinks and light food. As is the case with every such venue, they are somewhat overpriced, but remember that you’ll spend several hours there.
At the seats of Gate 212 and ready for my first NBA game
Forty minutes before the game between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, the stadium was relatively empty. I knew the game was sold out, so this was a surprise. However, given MSG’s number of gates, I knew it would be packed in no time.
Indeed, approximately ten minutes before the game, the venue was packed. The seats were very comfortable, and I felt like I was in a European cinema. There was plenty of legroom, and honestly, they were the most comfortable stadium seats I’ve ever had.
The atmosphere was cheerful, and the show started when the New York Knicks entered the venue. There were no chants, but the crowd cheered, and everyone was ready for the big game.
New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons: the game
What I saw on television was justified by my in-person experience. Compared to Europe, defense isn’t the most important part of the game. It’s a big show after all, and a matter of entertainment: scoring is what the crowd pays for, and that’s what the teams offer.
The match started after the US anthem was sung. Booing the referees is also a part of the game, and the crowd reacted several times to (what they assumed were) wrong calls. During the game, three chants stood out: the well-known “Defense, defense,” the vibrant “Let’s go Knicks,” and, in the last period, “MVP, MVP.” That last one was dedicated to Jalen Brunson, who had a fantastic night at MSG.
What I never noticed while watching live NBA games on TV was how much music and jingles there were during the game. While in Europe, it’s the fans who must push the team during the game, in NBA games, music plays this role. This keeps team and spectator spirits up, but it also makes you feel like the crowd participates less.
There’s always a show in NBA timeouts
Sometimes it’s a cheerleader’s show. Other times, fans engage in various games. There will also be moments where a Knicks T-shirt will be thrown to the crowd. And what is for sure is that the show never finishes.
In every break, something will take place on the court, and there’s always something to look forward to. It’s part of the entertainment package that live NBA games offer to fans. Indeed, NBA games are full-time shows: the game started at 7:30 p.m. and finished a minute or two before 10:30 p.m.
That said, I entered Madison Square Garden around 18:30 and was out a quarter to eleven. It was a four-hour experience, with most of the time spent on the game. The big screens showed various stats and instant replays, and the timeout shows on the court were fun to watch.
The Knicks vs Pistons NBA game itself
As I’ve written earlier, and despite the chant, defense is not the most important part of the game. Neither team’s players had their best night of the season, resulting in a relatively low score for an NBA game.
The game was tight from the start, and neither team could build momentum. This, of course, meant more tension for fans, and the game was agony until the last second. Despite Brunson’s efforts (at some point he seemed to be playing alone against the Pistons), Cunningham had played a great game, scoring 13 out of his 24 points in the last quarter. Ausar Thompson’s exceptional performance, paired with Cunningham’s moral, led the Pistons to an away win with 103-106.
The Detroit Pistons’ win shocked the MSG crowd. This win meant that the series would be continued in Detroit for Game 6 (for the history, Knicks won the away game a few days later, and they qualified for the next playoff round against the Boston Celtics).
You can see the game’s extensive (and impressive) coverage and statistics by ESPN here.
Leaving the MSG after the NBA game of the Knicks vs the Pistons
The match finished quite late, but exiting the venue was as smooth as entering it had been. Even with about 20,000 spectators in the stands, leaving MSG was quick.
Despite the loss, the mood outside the venue was pretty festive. One thing I didn’t expect to see was the abundance of garbage (beer cans, food, plastic bags, etc.) in the streets around the MSG. I suppose it’s pretty normal to see such things in places where many people gather (in Europe, it’s the same); however, the amount surprised me.
It was lively for several blocks, and watching an NBA game was a fantastic experience.
Watching an NBA Game live: Final Thoughts
It’s not a cliché to say that watching a live NBA game is a memorable experience. The crowd’s excitement and the action on the court are truly fascinating, while the in-between moments add another layer to what NBA games are really about: pure entertainment and a chance to appreciate basketball as a sport.
Yes, the prices are steep, especially for a Knicks game. However, if you can afford a ticket, the event won’t let you down. Even for people without a genuine interest in sports, watching a live NBA game is definitely worth it. It’s a completely different experience for non-US citizens, and it reveals a genuine aspect of American life.
For true basketball fans, it’s an opportunity to have a fantastic evening and see world-famous players up close. Moreover, the courtside seats will be populated with Hollywood stars (I saw Ben Stiller and John Torturo that evening), and the experience will compensate you.
Is it worth watching a live NBA game? Absolutely yes. It’s a tremendous experience; if you can afford it, don’t miss the opportunity.
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