Joel Embiid urges Sixers fans not to sell playoff tickets to Knicks fans
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Joel Embiid’s return to the 7th-seeded Philadelphia Sixers sparked an impressive First Round victory over the 2nd-seeded Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs.
Now the former NBA MVP is asking Sixers fans not to sell tickets to fans of their next opponent, the New York Knicks.
Led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the 6th game of the series and achieved a record 51-point away win and advanced to the next round. They were watching Game 7 between the Sixers and Celtics closely, and Philadelphia’s comeback paid off as Embiid scored a game-high 34 points in the win.
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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 on May 2, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
It was a pretty impressive game for the Sixers, who came back from a 3-1 hole. But now they face a familiar foe in the playoffs, and Embiid implored fans to make sure they’re in the seats and not a trip down the New Jersey Turnpike.
“I have a message for our fans,” Embiid said after the Sixers won Game 7. per ESPN. “Last time we played the Knicks, it was like [Philadelphia] It was Madison Square Garden East. We will need support.
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“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you.”
Tickets have become a talking point for the teams’ 2024 matchup; Sixers ownership attempted to prevent Knicks fans from purchasing tickets to their home arena for Game 6, which Philadelphia must win to advance. Knicks clinched the series on the road.
At the time, Embiid shared a similar message, admitting that the fact that Sixers fans outnumbered the Knicks “made me angry.”
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers watches the first half of Game Seven against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at TD Garden on May 2, 2026 in Boston, Mass. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“Philly is considered a sports city,” he added.
It’s no secret that Knicks fans travel, especially when the road city is as close as it is to Philadelphia. This time, they are expected to 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 said. Embiid repeated. “We need support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’m here for 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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While the Knicks, the number 3 seed of the Eastern Conference, will host them at Madison Square Garden for games 1 and 2 starting on Monday, Embiid and the Sixers will see if the fans are listening for Game 3 of the next series. Game 3 will be played on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
After missing the first three games due to appendectomy, Embiid averaged 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the last four games of the series.
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