As of Tuesday afternoon, LeBron James is just 36 points shy of breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record. But if fans want to watch history be made in person, it’s going to cost them.
Tickets in the lower level for the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night start at $1,067, CBS News reported. The news outlet noted that tickets behind the hoops are going for $69,162 each on Vivid Seats and seats nine rows back for $42,845.
Courtside seats range from $12,000 to $75,000 on Ticketmaster. The cheapest seats in the 300-level sections start at $124.
As James has approached breaking the record, the average price of Lakers tickets has increased by 211% since the beginning of the season, according to CBS News.
While fans are willing to pay thousands of dollars to watch James make history, there’s a catch: The scoring record might not even be broken on Tuesday.
James is averaging 30 points per game and has only scored 36 points or more in five of the 13 games he’s played in during the past month, per ESPN.
He is also listed as questionable with left ankle soreness for Tuesday’s game, according to the Lakers’ injury report.
Fans who trust the analytics are eyeing the Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday as the better bet. Ticketmaster shows seats for that game in the 300-level sections start at $460 and courtside seats cost as much as $100,000.
The average purchase price for tickets to Thursday’s game is $1,230, which could set a new Lakers record for the average ticket purchase price. The record is currently $1,137 for Kobe Bryant’s last game in 2016, according to Front Office Sports.
The chase for the record
James started the season with 37,062 points, just 1,325 points below Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record. Abdul-Jabbar set the record in 1,560 games. James can do it in 1,410 if he scores 36 points on Tuesday.
James sat down with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon on Monday to talk about breaking the record.
“I’ve never said I wanted to lead the league in scoring,” he said, according to a tweet from ESPN. “For sure, I never said I wanted to be the all-time leader in scoring. That’s never been like a dream of mine. To sit here and be on the brink of it actually happening, it’s pretty crazy.”
He told Wilbon that, as people have compared his and Abdul-Jabbar’s career as he approaches the record, the company he is in stands out more than any record or statistic.
“For me to be in the company with such a prominent, dominant force like Kareem was, it’s an honor,” he said.
LeBron reflects on potentially passing Kareem's all-time scoring record:
"I've never said I wanted to lead the league in scoring ... For me to be in the company with such a prominent, dominant force like Kareem was, it's an honor." pic.twitter.com/TaNklVzXj4
Many NBA experts believe that once James sets the new record, it will be unbreakable.
The closest active player behind James is his former teammate, 39-year-old Carmelo Anthony, who is a free agent. Anthony is ninth on the all-time scoring list with 28,289 points, according to NBA.com.
The next closest would be Kevin Durant at No. 14 all-time with 26,684 points. He is four years younger than James.
FAQs
Los Angeles Lakers courtside tickets have been known to command significant prices. In the past, these coveted seats have seen season passes costing well over $200,000, and individual courtside tickets easily costing $3,000 or more.
How much are tickets to a Lakers game? ›
You can find Los Angeles Lakers tickets for as low as $174, with an average price of $587.
How much are VIP Lakers tickets? ›
Individual VIP Lakers tickets in a suite may cost $200 - $600. Los Angeles Lakers Suite prices vary dramatically. They range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the matchup, location in the stadium, size of the suite, and the demand of the game.
Can I buy Lakers tickets at Crypto? ›
Seats marked with a blue dot are tickets listed for sale by the Lakers. Seats marked with a red dot and circular arrow are tickets listed for sale by other Lakers fans through Lakers Ticket Exchange. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Crypto.com Arena Box Office, following the first date of a public on-sale.
Why are Lakers tickets so expensive? ›
Essentially, the better the team or, the more popular the match-up, the more expensive the tickets become. Brokers and resellers charge numerous fees, such as a processing fee, while taking a large percentage from resale transactions to exacerbate matters.
Why are courtside tickets so expensive? ›
Courtside seats come with variety of perks that could justify the cost of a ticket to some. Think VIP treatment. "Most times courtside seating does come with food and alcohol," Goodman said.
How much is a suite at a Lakers game? ›
Los Angeles Lakers
Type: A Level Luxury Suite, B Level Luxury Suite, C Level Luxury Suite. Suite price per game: $2,800 - $6,000.
How to get cheap tickets for the Lakers game? ›
How to Get Cheap Lakers Tickets. There are always great deals to be found at Vivid Seats. The get-in price, or lowest price for Lakers game tickets, is $132. Lakers ticket prices will fluctuate based on many factors such as inventory and demand, so be sure to make your purchase before it's too late!
How much is the cheapest NBA ticket? ›
Release:
| Rank | Cities | Average ticket prices ($) |
|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 53.54 |
| 2 | Boston | 110.1 |
| 3 | Dallas | 86.98 |
| 4 | San Antonio | 69.49 |
6 more rowsNov 16, 2023
Each player has a particular allocation of tickets for every game, which they can distribute to their loved ones, friends, or charities. These complimentary tickets are considered part of the player's overall compensation package and are a valuable benefit for the players and their families.
Contact the booking agents at Athlete Speakers to book former and current Los Angeles Lakers Players for appearances, speaking engagements, meet and greets, store grand openings and endorsem*nts. Call us today at 800-916-6008 to speak to a booking agent about hiring an Los Angeles Lakers Player.
Do NBA players do meet and greets? ›
NBA Legend Meet & Greets
At every event, we have NBA Legend appearances where fans get the opportunity to pose for pictures, get an autograph or even strike up a one-on-one conversation with some of the game's greatest players. And it doesn't stop there.
Can you bring food to Lakers game? ›
No. Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the arena. Crypto.com Arena is proud to offer Kosher and Gluten-free food options.
Do I need ID for Lakers game? ›
A photo ID matching the vaccination or negative test record is required for all ticketed guests. Remember, if you're not feeling well, please stay home!
Do NBA tickets get cheaper closer to the game? ›
Once tip-off is on the horizon, however, prices start to plummet. NBA tickets on the secondary market are at their highest prices seven days before a game, averaging $194. However, prices steadily decline every day leading up to the game, including some big day-over-day changes.
How much does a courtside NBA ticket cost? ›
Attending a game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Chase Center in San Francisco or Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles could cost even more. During the 2022-23 regular season, the average courtside seat went for around $2,000, according to Sportskeeda.
Do celebrities pay for courtside seats? ›
There are several ways in which A-listers can secure these seats without necessarily having to pay for them. For instance, some celebrities use their connections to get tickets from team owners, coaches, or players. Others may receive complimentary tickets from NBA teams or companies sponsoring the NBA.
How expensive are courtside seats? ›
They can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to six figures depending on the game. How much you pay for a seat right on the hardwood depends on who you are watching, where you are watching and how good the team is.
How much would you pay for courtside seats? ›
Arenas like Chase Center in San Francisco, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, or Madison Square Garden in New York can cost even more. But Sportskeeda reports that the average courtside seat costs $2,000.
