Joel Embiid has a message for Philadelphia 76ers fans: keep your tickets and bring the noise. As the Sixers prepare to face the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, their star center is pleading with the home crowd not to let their arena become "Madison Square Garden East" again.

Two seasons ago, Philadelphia's home court was overrun by Knicks fans during a first-round playoff series that the Sixers lost in six games. It was a bitter memory for Embiid and his teammates, who watched their home-court advantage evaporate as visiting fans turned the Wells Fargo Center into a sea of blue and orange. "Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like this was Madison Square Garden east," Embiid said after Saturday's Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics. "We're going to need the support. Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you."

The timing of Embiid's plea couldn't be more perfect. Coming off a thrilling Game 7 victory that saw the Sixers topple the top-seeded Celtics on the road, the team is riding high but knows the challenge ahead. Embiid specifically praised the raucous crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena during Thursday's 106-93 Game 6 win, calling for that same energy—and then some—against the Knicks. "We need you to be extremely loud," he emphasized.

But Embiid also understands the reality of the situation. With playoff tickets fetching premium prices—upper-level mezzanine seats at center court are going for more than $500, while seats behind the basket start at $300—some fans might be tempted to cash in. The 2023 NBA MVP, who's earning an estimated $58 million this season, even offered a lighthearted solution. "If you need money, I got you," he joked, though his message was clear: the team needs every fan in the building.

Embiid's call to action comes amid his own battle with adversity. Despite dealing with an abdominal injury that required mid-game treatment from team trainers, the big man delivered a monster performance in Boston, posting 34 points and 12 rebounds. He also survived a scary moment when teammate Tyrese Maxey was pushed into his left knee. Now, as the Sixers look to exorcise the ghosts of playoffs past, Embiid is counting on Philadelphia's faithful to make sure this time feels nothing like Madison Square Garden.