Joel Embiid implores Sixers fans not to sell tickets to Knicks fans

DeAntae Prince, The Philadelphia Inquirer on May 3, 2026

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PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the New York Knicks in six games in the 2024 NBA playoffs, and it’s clear part of that experience has stuck in the craw of Joel Embiid.

The star big man decided to make an unprompted plea to Sixers fans during his postgame media session, imploring them to keep their tickets and turn down the money from Knicks fans hoping to experience games at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

This had clearly been on Embiid’s mind for some time because he decided to broach the topic immediately after his team defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 on Saturday. The Sixers picking up their first win against the Celtics in a playoff series since 1982 wasn’t enough. Embiid had moved on at midnight and was done celebrating, he told reporters.

“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East, so we gonna need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

Sixers fans remained engaged after the team went down three games to one against the Celtics and created a raucous environment in Philly for Game 6.

Embiid is hoping for a similar experience against the Knicks. And he’s offering to foot the bill.

“The emotion that we’ve had the last couple games in Philly, especially the last one, pushing to Game 7, I mean, we need all of it,” Embiid said. “I don’t care if it’s 70-30 Knicks fans, they travel, they buy tickets. It’s going to be some people who need the money and probably are going to sell tickets. Don’t do it. We need you guys. We got a pretty good chance. We gonna need that support. We gonna need them to be loud, and if you need money, I got you.”