Joel Embiid’s Message to 76ers’ Fans Ahead Of Knicks’ Series: ‘If You Need Money, I’ve Got You.’
TL;DR
Joel Embiid addressed 76ers fans ahead of the Knicks series, offering support and jokingly stating, 'If you need money, I’ve got you.' He aims to prevent a repeat of the Knicks' previous playoff dominance over the 76ers.
Key points
- Joel Embiid addressed 76ers fans before the Knicks series
- He offered support by saying, 'If you need money, I’ve got you'
- Knicks fans previously dominated the atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center
- The Eastern Conference semifinals start on Monday
- Knicks won the last playoff series against the 76ers in six games
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Two years ago during the NBA playoffs, Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo Center to the point that it felt like “Madison Square Garden South" to the 76ers.
With the teams poised to renew acquaintances in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning Monday, Joel Embiid does not want history to repeat itself after the Knicks won that dramatic 2024 series in six games.
The Sixers’ star warned fans not to sell their tickets and even offered to pay for them to insure a homecourt atmosphere for games at the arena, now called Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“I have a message for our fans," Embiid said after putting up 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists as the 76ers completed a comeback from 3-1 down to beat the Boston Celtics, 109-100, in Game 7 at TD Garden. "Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like (Philly) was Madison Square Garden East. We’re gonna need the support.
"Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere you guys created in the last two games, especially in (Game 6), we need all of it. Knicks fans travel; they buy tickets. There’s gonna be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
The No. 3 Knicks will have homecourt advantage against the No. 7 Sixers, with Games 1 (Monday) and 2 (Wednesday) at Madison Square Garden and Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (Sunday) in Philadelphia.
A potential Game 7 would be May 17 at the Garden.
Embiid had been 0-3 in Game 7s in his career, but said before Game 7 against the Celtics he was “tired of losing” to them.
“I’ve been playing these guys for so long,” Embiid said. “I’m tired of losing to them. So we have a chance to accomplish something special. They’re a great team. You look at everything they have. That’s a super team. We just gotta go in with the mindset that we’ve had for the last two games. One play at a time. Tough environment, but we’ve been there. We won two games over there.”
With Jayson Tatum (calf) a late scratch, the Sixers The 76ers became the first No. 7 seed in the East to defeat a No. 2 seed since the first round expanded to best-of-seven in 2003. They are also the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a series.
Now comes a rematch with the Knicks, with a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
The teams split the season series 2-2.
In the 2024 playoffs, Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo and dominated the arena.
In Game 4, Knicks fans who made the two-hour drive down I-95 chanted “MVP” as Jalen Brunson poured in a franchise-record 47 points with 10 assists in a 97-92 victory.
They chanted “F--- Embiid” at the Sixers’ star and poured out into the concourses after the game and chanted “Knicks in five!”
“They’re for real,” Knicks star Jalen Brunson told reporters of the fans. “No matter where we are, they’re gonna be there. So I’m appreciative and a lot of situations (this season) wouldn’t be done without them.”
Embiid wasn’t happy about it.
“Disappointing. I love our fans,” Embiid told reporters. “Think it’s unfortunate and I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing.
“Obviously you got a lot of Knicks fans and they’re down the road and I’ve never seen it, and I’ve been here for 10 years. Yeah, it kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town. They’ve always shown up and I don’t think that should happen. Yeah. It’s not okay.”
In 2024, Tyrese Maxey saved the Sixers from elimination in Game 5 at the Garden with a 46-point outing. But the Knicks closed out Game 6 on the road behind Brunson’s 41 points and 12 assists
After the series-clinching win, Knicks fans crowded near New York’s tunnel after the game and held their phones high to capture video of their favorite team headed to the locker room.
“Was it hostile?” then-Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau joked when asked about the atmosphere.
With the teams set to meet again starting this week, Embiid is doing all he can to avoid a hostile crowd on his homecourt.
(The AP contributed reporting.)
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Q&A
What did Joel Embiid say to 76ers fans before the Knicks series?
Joel Embiid told 76ers fans, 'If you need money, I’ve got you,' as a lighthearted gesture of support.
How did Knicks fans impact the 76ers during the last playoff series?
In the previous playoff series, Knicks fans significantly outnumbered 76ers fans at Wells Fargo Center, creating an atmosphere likened to 'Madison Square Garden South.'
When does the 76ers vs. Knicks series begin?
The Eastern Conference semifinals between the 76ers and Knicks is set to begin on Monday.
What was the outcome of the last playoff series between the 76ers and Knicks?
The Knicks won the dramatic 2024 playoff series against the 76ers in six games.
