76ers restrict ticket access to fans in Philadelphia to keep out Knicks fans in second-round playoff series

Embiid continued: "I don't care if it's 70-30. Knicks fans, they travel, they're going to buy the tickets. 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 that support. We're going to need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I got you."

While the Sixers are hoping that their method of restricting access will keep the orange and blue at a minimum at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Knicks guard Josh Hart has faith the fans will find a way to support them.

"The good thing about New Yorkers, they're persistent," Hart said Sunday when asked about the Sixers' plans to restrict ticket sales. "They don't care. They're gonna do it. For a lot of people, everything revolves around money, so if they can get a good price for those tickets, they're gonna sell them."

The Sixers aren't the only team to deploy this type of ticket sale restriction to Knicks fans. During the 2024 playoffs, the Detroit Pistons used geo-fencing to limit ticket sales to those within the Michigan area. But, like Hart said, that doesn't necessarily work when fans sell tickets on secondary markets. Knicks fans can find a way if they want to.

But at least the Sixers are trying something to maintain a homecourt advantage. The Knicks just finished a series against the Atlanta Hawks during which you could hear Knicks forward OG Anunoby getting positive chants from Knicks fans on the road. That's what the Sixers are trying to avoid.