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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Wells Fargo Center on June 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Star center Joel Embiid has a simple plea for Philadelphia 76ers fans ahead of the team’s Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the New York Knicks: Don’t sell your tickers to New Yorkers.
Knicks fans famously took over the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia when the two teams met in the first round of the playoffs two years ago, and Embiid doesn’t want to experience a repeat performance of that.
Joel Embiid Urges Philadelphia 76ers Fans Not to Sell Their Tickets to Knicks Fans
GettyDonte DiVincenzo #0 of the New York Knicks blocks Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of game six of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on May 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
The Knicks have homecourt advantage in the series, but Games 3 and 4 (and potentially Game 5) will take place in Philadelphia.
“I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Xfinity Mobile Arena] was Madison Square Garden East. So, we’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere that we’ve had the last couple games in Philly, especially the last one, pushing it to Game 7. We need all of it,” Embiid said.
“… Knicks fans they travel. They’re going to buy the tickets and there’s going to be some people that need the money and are probably going to sell tickets. But don’t do it. We need you guys. We got a pretty good chance. We’re going to need our support. We’re going to need them to be extremely loud.
Embiid ended his plea with a joke.
“If you need money, I got you.”
This story will be updated.
Michael Kaskey-Blomain Michael Kaskey-Blomain is an experienced sports media member covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy. He has been in the industry for well over a decade with previous stops including the Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS Sports. Michael also serves as a Philadelphia 76ers reporter and insider for ESPN 97.3 and an NBA and NFL contributor for The Sporting News. More about Michael Kaskey-Blomain