Monday's Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals isn't just an opportunity for the Knicks to go up 3-0 — it's their biggest home game in decades.
New York's return to the Finals was already a big deal, but once Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns led the team to a 2-0 series lead on the road, just the buy-in price to watch Game 3 in person skyrocketed even more. Now, imagine how much is cost to get near "celebrity row," where New York's biggest superstar fans take in the action.
A chance to sit on celebrity row for Game 3 was actually up for bidding, as the Knicks offered an auction for two seats typically given to celebrities to watch the huge matchup vs. San Antonio on Monday night.
Here's what to know about the winning bid for those exclusive tickets, who had the winning bid and more.
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Who won Knicks celebrity row contest?
The Knicks' celebrity row auction, where they offered two VIP-section tickets right near "celebrity row" for Game 3 of the Finals, was won by a bid split between the law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP and private equity firm Veritas Capital.
The winning bid, MSG announced, was worth $1 million — money that is set to be donated to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, making it the largest single donation in the history of the foundation. The organization works with Madison Square Garden's companies to assist children at need in the tristate area.
The tickets awarded to the winning bid were in section VIP 10, row AA, seats 25 and 26 — seats that are typically reserved at Madison Square Garden for celebrities.
“We want to thank Gibson Dunn and Veritas Capital for their incredible generosity,” James Dolan said in a statement about the bidding. “We’re proud that we were able to offer this opportunity to benefit The Garden of Dreams Foundation. This $1 million donation will be an invaluable resource to continue to help shape the futures of the young people we serve.”
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What is Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP?
Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP is multinational, prestigious law firm that is one of the highest-grossing legal practices in the world. It was founded in 1890 in Los Angeles. According to Law.com, the practice grossed over $4 billion in 2025.
“Gibson Dunn is proud to partner with Veritas Capital in support of the Garden of Dreams Foundation,” Chair & Managing Partner of the practice, Barbara Becker, said in a statement about the Knicks bidding. “Advocating for underserved youth has been a longstanding part of our firm’s pro bono work, and this is a special moment to see that commitment extend into the Knicks community—and benefit the next generation of fans in the tri-state area.”
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What is Veritas Capital?
Veritas Capital is a private equity firm based in New York City that specializes in investing in technology.
It's website says the firm aims to invest "at the intersection of technology and government" and has "exclusively invested in companies that provide critical products, services, and software, primarily technology or technology-enabled solutions, to government and commercial customers worldwide." It carries over $50 billion of assets under management.