Embiid Urges Sixers Fans to Reject Knicks Ticket Buyers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid called on fans not to sell tickets to New York Knicks supporters ahead of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. The plea came after the No. 7-seeded Sixers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the No. 2 Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their first-round matchup. Embiid scored a game-high 34 points in the victory at TD Garden on May 2, 2026.

The No. 3-seeded Knicks advanced by routing the Atlanta Hawks 51 points in Game 6 on the road. Embiid, who missed the series' first three games following an appendectomy, averaged 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists over the final four contests. He told reporters after the win, per ESPN: "I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys."

Embiid repeated the request from the teams' 2024 playoff series, when the Knicks won on the road in Game 6 after Philadelphia ownership sought to restrict ticket sales to Knicks fans. He noted then that Knicks supporters outnumbered Sixers fans at home games. "There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys," Embiid said. "Philly is considered a sports town."

The Knicks host Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden beginning Monday. Game 3 follows Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.