Was Asked to Stay Late But I Have Tickets to the Game!

Dear Experts, My boss asked if I could stay late tomorrow and work on a project. I normally don't mind putting in the extra hours but there's a good chance the extra work will overlap with the Miami Heat game which I have tickets for. I bought these tickets weeks ago and I haven't been to a game in a couple years. Is it alright to say "no" to my boss? If so, what's the best way to go about turning him down? Or, could I agree to stay late but only till a certain time? Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter:Q#368 Maybe offer to come to work early to make up the time you can't spend after work? (@gradversity) Q#368 Stay as late as you can and explain that you have tix - will come in extra early to finish. (@DebraWheatman) Q#368 Say "of course I'll stay as late as possible and come in early to finish, because I have tix 2 game." @juliaerickson) Q#368 Ask to stay until X time and then come in early the following day. At least ASK! (@beneubanks) Q#368 Tell boss ASAP about tixs. Ask what can be done now & earlier tomorrow to minimize need for overtime. (@jtodonnell) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.