The 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. 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 3-1 against the Boston Celtics and created a raucous environment in Philly for Game 6.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reacts to the crowd in the fourth quarter of Game 7 at TD Garden Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 109-100.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, center Joel Embiid, and guard Tyrese Maxey celebrate after winning Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and guard VJ Edgecombe celebrate after winning Game 7 against the Boston Celtics.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Nick Nurse watches the fourth quarter during Game 7.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey scores in the fourth quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown grabs at Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in the fourth quarter of Game 7.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown blocks Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George in the fourth quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta blocks Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in the fourth quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers gather on the court after a foul is reviewed during the fourth quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George and Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser in the third quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
The Philadelphia 76ers go crazy after a three-pointer during Game 7.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White slaps the ball in Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid's hands during Game 7.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey drives for the basket late in the fourth quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots a free-throw in the third quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey misses the shot in the third quarter Game 7 against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta scores in the second quarter with a dunk during Game 7 at TD Garden Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Boston.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George tries to get around Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and Boston Celtics guard John Tonje with Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey coming from the side during the second quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid falls after shooting and missing in the second quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid passes Boston Celtics guard Hugo González in the second quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is defended by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in the second quarter of Game 7.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White tries to block Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe during the first quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey calls for an offensive foul during the first quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George and Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman go after the ball in the first quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe flies over Boston Celtics guard Derrick White in the first quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George celebrates after scoring in the first quarter.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George scores against Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. in the first quarter.
Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer
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.”
I serve as a senior editor on the Sports staff, covering the 76ers and NBA at large. I edit, write, and film everything Philly basketball. Before joining The Inquirer, I made stops at the Chicago Tribune and Sports Illustrated.