Jaren Jackson Jr. needs to get to the Garden for a playoff game.
The Grizzlies forward claimed that Gainbridge Fieldhouse — home of the Pacers — was louder than Madison Square Garden during an NBAXLive broadcast during Wednesday’s Game 2, won 130-121 by the Knicks.
Co-host and former Knick Channing Frye asked Jackson which arena he thought was louder, eliciting a surprise response that led to audible shock from Fry and NBA on TNT reporter Lauren Jbara.
“The Fieldhouse,” Jackson quickly replied. “It’s louder.”
Jbara tried to provide some support by interjecting, “those Midwest fans.”
“I think this is like individually like everyone has a personality,” Jackson continued in his analysis of the Garden crowd. “There’s a guy yelling. There’s some guy going crazy, but everybody all at once.”
It’s been hard to knock the crowds at Madison Square Garden during the Knicks’ playoff runs, as the building brought pandemonium for the series against the 76ers and has seen much the same through the first two games of the second-round series with Indiana.
The building erupted on Wednesday when Jalen Brunson returned to the court after halftime following his exit late in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
He was serenaded with chants of “MVP!”
It’s become commonplace for exuberant fans to spill out of the Garden onto the streets of Manhattan and bring the party with them after a win.
Jackson did seem to acknowledge how loud the building has been during the series against the Pacers.
“I think New York [is louder] if they get to this point in the playoffs cause now they want to get hyped,” he said. “Indiana is like that all the time, regardless.”
The Knicks’ playoff run this year — their second consecutive season reaching the second round of the playoffs — has been highlighted by dramatic moments and huge efforts from the likes of Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo.