The Knicks recently denied Magic Johnson's request for complimentary tickets to a game.

The New York Daily News writes that the request was denied in part because of Johnson's criticisms of former Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas.

Thomas remains close to Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan.

The Knicks wouldn't comment on or deny what Johnson was told when he wasn't provided a ticket to New York's Dec. 7 game against Portland.

A source told the Daily News that when the Knicks didn't respond to Johnson's request immediately, he called the club to say he had made other plans.

Another source, however, claims that the Knicks were reluctant to give Johnson a ticket because they were upset with him.

In the recently released book about Johnson and Larry Bird entitled "When the Game Was Ours," Magic reveals that he was partly responsible for keeping Thomas off the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.