Joel Embiid has a message for Philadelphia 76ers fans: keep the Knicks fans out of your building.
Fresh off a historic Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics, the Sixers' superstar center is already looking ahead to their second-round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks—and he's making a personal plea to the home crowd.
Philadelphia made NBA history on Saturday, May 2, with a 109-100 win in Boston. It marked the first time in 33 opportunities that the legendary Celtics franchise blew a 3-1 series lead. The Sixers, who had been 0-18 when trailing 3-1 in a series, finally broke that curse in dramatic fashion.
Embiid, returning from injury earlier in the series, delivered a monster performance with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the stunning triumph.
But after the celebration, Embiid turned his focus to the Knicks—and to the fans who might be tempted to cash in on their playoff tickets.
"I just have a message for our fans. The last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East," Embiid said, referencing how New York fans flooded Wells Fargo Center during the regular season. "We're going to need your support. Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you."
The third-seeded Knicks enter as favorites against the seventh-seeded Sixers, though the teams split their four regular-season meetings. Two years ago, New York eliminated Philadelphia in six games in the first round—clinching the series on the road after Sixers ownership tried to limit Knicks fans from buying tickets.
Embiid, perhaps with a smirk, even offered to personally cover any fan's financial needs if they're tempted to sell.
"There's going to be some people that need the money," he said. "But don't do it. … If you need money, I got you."
Game 1 tips off Monday at 8 p.m. ET in New York, with Game 3 marking the first home contest for Philadelphia on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. For Sixers fans, the message is clear: keep those seats blue and red, not orange and blue.