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Joel Embiid’s return to the No. 7 seed Philadelphia Sixers helped spark an impressive first-round victory over the No. 2 Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs.
Now, the former NBA MVP is asking Sixers fans to make sure they don’t sell tickets to fans of their next opponent: The New York Knicks.
The Knicks, led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, toppled the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their series, compiling a record 51-point victory en route to advancing to the next round. They looked close to Game 7 between the Sixers and the Celtics, and Philadelphia made the comeback come true, with Embiid scoring 34 points in the win.
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Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers watches during the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 2026. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
It was quite a rally for the Sixers as they came back from a 3-1 hole. But they now face a familiar playoff foe, and Embiid implored fans to make sure they’re in the seats and not the ones just a ride down the New Jersey Turnpike.
“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said after the Sixers won Game 7, according to ESPN. “The last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We will need the support.
76ERS’ JOEL EMBIID FACES ‘FLOPING’ ALLEGATIONS AFTER PHILLY’S GAME 7 WIN OVER CELTIC
“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you.”
Tickets became a talking point during the teams’ 2024 matchup, with Sixers ownership trying to block Knicks fans from buying tickets at their arena for Game 6, which Philadelphia had to win to advance. The Knicks ended up winning the series on the road.
At the time, Embiid shared a similar message, admitting that “it kind of pisses me off” that Sixers fans were outnumbered by the Knicks.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half of game seven against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 2026. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“Philly is considered a sports town,” he added.
It’s no secret that Knicks fans travel, especially when the road city is as close as it is to Philadelphia. It is expected that they will try to flood the Xfinity Mobile Arena this time as well.
“There will be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys,” Embiid reiterated. “We need the support and we need them to be extremely vocal. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter of Game Six against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on April 30, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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Embiid and the Sixers will see if fans listened in Game 3 of the next series as the Knicks, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, will host them at Madison Square Garden for Games 1 and 2, starting Monday. Game 3 is set for Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid averaged 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the final four games of the series after missing the first three due to appendectomy.
