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Timberwolves fans trying to travel to Oklahoma City for Game 1 or Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals may have a hard time getting tickets. The Oklahoma City Thunder has a geolocation lock for anyone buying through Ticketmaster. 

Ticket sales through that website are restricted to residents in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Timberwolves fan Catrell Maclin said he’s been to almost every road game during the playoffs since last year, but he was prevented from buying tickets to their games against the Thunder.

“Definitely the first time I’ve ever seen that message. I’ve usually traveled around the country for different games, different sporting events, but that’s the first time I’ve ever seen that message where only people in that state — or surrounding states I guess — are allowed to go to the game,” he said. 

Paycom Center’s ticket sales representatives said the geolocation lock works to prevent people from buying tickets just to resell them. They said nonresidents can still buy tickets on resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek.

After learning that he could buy tickets through other sites, Maclin was able to buy tickets to Game 1 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Maclin will travel from Memphis, where he currently lives. He said he hopes to make it to Game 2 as well. 

Lisa Ryan

Author

The Oklahoma City Thunder has a geolocation lock for anyone buying playoff tickets through Ticketmaster. Ticket sales through that website are restricted to residents in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Nonresidents can still buy tickets on resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek.

Kerem Yücel | MPR News

Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors 

Timberwolves fan locked out of buying Oklahoma City Thunder tickets through Ticketmaster

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