A 76ers-Knicks rematch returns Monday, with Embiid pleading to fans: 'Don’t sell your tickets'

TL;DR

The Philadelphia 76ers face the New York Knicks in a rematch on Monday, with Joel Embiid urging fans not to sell their tickets. Both teams are coming off intense playoff series, with the Knicks having home-court advantage this time.

Key points

76ers face Knicks in Eastern Conference semifinals rematch
Joel Embiid pleads with fans not to sell tickets
Knicks won previous playoff series in six games
Home-court advantage goes to Knicks this time
Maxey and Brunson are key players to watch

Philadelphia 76ersNew York Knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Finally finished with Boston, a trip to New York came quickly for the Philadelphia 76ers. So did the memories. The Eastern Conference semifinals are a rematch of a tight series between Atlantic Division rivals from nearby Northeast cities, a Knicks victory in six games in 2024. Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey delivered unbelievable performances. Both teams made unimaginable rallies. Knicks fans were deafening inside Madison Square Garden — and in Philadelphia. (And no, Joel Embiid hasn't forgotten). When it was over, the Knicks had outscored the 76ers 650-649. They start up again Monday night, believing this series can be even better. “I expect nothing less. Actually more,” Maxey said. “That was a first-round matchup. This is a second-round matchup. So I think both teams are going to come out there and be extremely competitive. It’s going to be a dogfight, it’s going to be a chess match and I’m just ready to get started.” The Knicks had a few days to rest after finishing off with a 140-89 victory on Thursday in Game 6, setting an NBA postseason record by . The 76ers have only one full day to recover after completing the NBA's 14th comeback from a 3-1 deficit by on Saturday. Philadelphia became the first No. 7 seed to beat a No. 2 since the first round became a best-of-seven format. That was the matchup when the 76ers and Knicks met two years ago. The 76ers were on the verge of tying that series in Game 2 before the Knicks came from five points down with under 30 seconds remaining. Brunson scored a Knicks playoff-record 47 points in Game 4 and New York was poised to wrap it up at home in Game 5 before Maxey scored seven points in the final 25 seconds of regulation and the 76ers won in overtime. “Man, that was a fun series. We were going punch for punch," said after the Knicks practiced Sunday. "When you think about that, you always think of the good games, so you guys can guess what games those are. But you know that you've got to turn the page. Those are memories. They don't affect tomorrow but they're fun memories.” Embiid returned midway through the Boston series after an appendectomy and was limping late in Game 7 after a player fell into his knee. He appeared in worse shape in the series two years ago, dealing with lingering problems from a surgically repaired left knee and having been diagnosed recently with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis. “I had a lot going on at that time, so hopefully everything is good this time,” Embiid said. “We've got a much better team than we had at that time, so it's going to be a fun series.” The Knicks also appear better, having since acquired All-Star and . They are in the second round for the fourth straight season and the No. 3 seed surprisingly ended up with home-court advantage in it thanks to Philadelphia's first-round rally. Now the Knicks have to deal with the Embiid-Maxey duo that's clicking. “If we expect to be who we are,” coach Mike Brown said, “we’ll figure it out.”

Q&A

What did Joel Embiid say to 76ers fans before the Knicks game?

Joel Embiid urged 76ers fans not to sell their tickets, emphasizing the need for strong support against the Knicks.

How did the previous 76ers-Knicks playoff series end?

The Knicks won the previous playoff series against the 76ers in six games during the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals.

What are the key player matchups in the 76ers vs. Knicks game?

Key matchups include Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey for the 76ers against Jalen Brunson for the Knicks, both of whom had outstanding performances in the first round.

Why is home-court advantage significant for the Knicks in this series?

The Knicks secured home-court advantage as the No. 3 seed, which is crucial since the road team won all four games in their previous matchups.

A 76ers-Knicks rematch returns Monday, with Embiid pleading to fans: 'Don’t sell your tickets'

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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