They’re out — a series of Phil Jackson No. 18 Knicks T-shirts — flowing in the Garden’s team store in the new lobby concourse and available in the NBA store and Fanatics.com.
NBA spokesperson Amanda Thorn told The Post the league’s merchandising department had never released a Jackson No. 18 Knicks retro game jersey before. That could be coming as well with Jackson back with the franchise as president.
That leads to the question whether the Knicks will retire his No. 18 jersey since he was a member of their only two NBA championship teams. The last Knick to wear No. 18 was Beno Udrih, bought out last month.
Internal discussions have taken place, but it’s too early to tell. Jackson is fifth in franchise history in most games played (732 in 11 seasons).
When Jackson was on the cusp of breaking Red Auerbach’s record for most titles as coach, The Post asked Jackson if he thought the Knicks would ever retire his number. Every starter on the Knicks’ titles teams has had their number raised to the rafters.
“I played with so many great players there,” Jackson told The Post in 2004. “I was also fortunate to play in a ton of games. There’s a certain longevity there as a Knick and a great role I was able to play. But we had so many Hall of Famer players that [played ahead of me]. My role was a fortunate thing. People said you could go somewhere else and be a starter. I was more than happy to be a role player for a team that was as great as that team was with that character.
“But I don’t think that number should be retired as a player,” Jackson added. “It’s a wonderful thought, but no.”
Knicks owner James Dolan said he will stand by their tradition of not raising ticket prices — if the Knicks don’t make the playoffs.
“It’s been a tough year and it’s the tradition that we’ve had with the organization, we will not raise ticket prices for next year,’’ Dolan said. “Instead we’ll have a great year next year at the same price and hopefully everybody will find that that product is more valuable and hopefully after that we’ll raise ticket prices.’’
It has still not been determined if there’s a price hike if the club actually gets in.
Organizers for Wednesday’s fan protest shifted its scope even further Tuesday after being impressed with the Jackson press conference. One organizer, Anthony Samaroo said the event is becoming a “victory and thanking rally with a warning message to Dolan to stand clear since he admitted in the conference to no knowledge of basketball if I heard him correct.’’