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Joel Embiid’s return to the No. 7 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, defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of their series, posting a record 51-point road victory to advance to the next round. They were closely watching Game 7 between the Sixers and Celtics, and Philadelphia made the comeback a reality, with Embiid scoring 34 points in the victory.
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Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers watches during the fourth quarter 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)
It was quite a rebound for the Sixers, coming back from a 3-1 hole. But now they face a familiar playoff foe, and Embiid implored fans to make sure they’re in the seats and not those just a trip away down the New Jersey Turnpike.
“I just have one message for our fans,” Embiid said after the Sixers won Game 7, according to ESPN. “The last time we played the Knicks, I felt like [Philadelphia] It was Madison Square Garden East. We are going to need the support.
76ERS’ JOEL EMBIID FACES ‘FLOPPING’ ACCUSATIONS AFTER PHILLY’S GAME 7 WIN OVER CELTICS
“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
Tickets became a topic of conversation during the teams’ 2024 showdown, where Sixers owners attempted to prevent Knicks fans from purchasing tickets at their stadium for Game 6, where Philadelphia needed 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 bothers me a little bit” that Sixers fans were outnumbered by the Knicks.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers watches 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)
“Philadelphia is considered a sports city,” he added.
It’s no secret that Knicks fans travel, especially if the city down the road is as close as it is to Philadelphia. It is expected that this time they will also try to flood the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“There will be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you,” Embiid reiterated. “We need the support and we need you to be extremely loud. 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 were listening in Game 3 of the upcoming series, as the Knicks, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, will host them at Madison Square Garden for Games 1 and 2, beginning Monday. Game 3 is scheduled 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 an appendectomy.
