Knicks record worst turnout at MSG since 2006
The New York Knicks announced a crowd of 16,588 was on hand to watch Wednesday's 112-104 loss to the Utah Jazz, the team's worst attendance at Madison Square Garden since Dec. 13, 2006, according to The Associated Press.
Last season, despite finishing with a league-worst 17-65 record, the Knicks posted the NBA's ninth-highest average attendance at 19,002 per game. There's been a slight drop off this campaign, as through 31 home games the Knicks are drawing 18,804 fans per contest (10th).
However, when looking at the percentage of capacity, the Knicks' attendance picture isn't quite as rosy. This season, Madison Square Garden has been at 94.9% capacity, which ranks just 19th. The arena's capacity is 19,812 for the 2019-20 season.
In addition to stumbling along with a 19-43 record this season, the Knicks organization is also embroiled in off-court skirmishes with prominent figures in team lore.
On Tuesday, longtime courtside staple Spike Lee declared on ESPN's "First Take" he won't attend any more Knicks games this season. He's upset following an altercation with team personnel before Monday's matchup against the Houston Rockets.
The club released a statement on the matter shortly after the Academy Award-winning director's television appearance:
New York Knicks Statement on Spike Lee pic.twitter.com/19JcvhFKO7
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 3, 2020
Former Knicks big man Charles Oakley came to Lee's defense on Wednesday, referring to the organization as a "plantation" during an appearance on ESPN's "Golic & Wingo."
Oakley, a revered fan favorite following his decade with the team from 1988 to 1998, was previously arrested and barred from Madison Square Garden after a run-in with team owner James Dolan in 2017.