New Yorkers who get vaccinated at Madison Square Garden will have a chance to score a free ticket to a Knicks playoff game starting Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.
“The New York Knicks are joining us to speed up the vaccinations in the city, to reach more people and keep them safe,” Hizzoner said during his daily virtual press briefing while wearing a blue Knicks cap.
“The Knicks are bringing the vaccination effort right there, to the Garden.”
The one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will be offered at the world’s most famous arena, where on Tuesday people who are inoculated will have a chance at tickets for Wednesday night’s game 2 match-up against the Atlanta Hawks.
Big Apple residents 16 or older who get jabbed on Thursday will be entered into a raffle to score a seat during the next Knicks home playoff game — or next season if the team is eliminated before the series heads back to New York, the mayor said.
“We want to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” said former Knicks star Allan Houston, who made a Zoom cameo during the briefing. “Let’s go get vaccinated and let’s go Knicks!”
The recently-upbeat mayor also took a joking shot at Hawks guard Trae Young, who Knicks fans jeered Sunday, accusing him of trying to get fouled.
“Stop hunting for fouls, Trae,” Hizzoner quipped.
“Trae, Trae, that hawk’s not gonna fly in New York City. I think the Knicks are going to teach you a lesson.”
Last week, the mayor decked himself out in Nets gear to announce a similar lottery for playoff tickets at Barclays Center.
Meanwhile, de Blasio announced that vaccine buses will be stationed at several parks and beaches across Gotham.
Beginning this weekend, New Yorkers can get a jab at Coney Island, Brighton Beach, The Rockaways and Orchard Beach. Additionally, doses will be available at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Central Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Prospect Park, and Governors Island.
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