Embiid Plea Fails as Knicks - 76ers Fans Flood Philadelphia

Dozens of Knicks fans turned up in Philadelphia for knicks - 76ers Game 3 on Friday night, traveling by chartered bus to Xfinity Mobile Arena after Joel Embiid urged Sixers fans not to sell tickets to New Yorkers. The trip came with the Knicks holding a 2-0 series lead and chasing a 3-0 edge in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Embiid’s plea and the bus ride

Vincent Puleo said the group wanted to pack the building. “We’re gonna fill the place up with as many Knicks fans as possible,” he said on the way in, adding, “Trying to send the message: don’t try to ban New Yorkers from anything!”

He also said the goal was to “really piss Philly fans off,” and later added, “We weren’t gonna go until Embiid said something.”

The bus service charged $75 for a round trip to Philadelphia, and Big Knick Energy was also offering the shuttle for Sunday’s Game 4. The setup gave Knicks fans a direct route into the arena after Embiid tried to limit the tickets in home hands.

Knicks fans push back

Justin Almonte put the challenge in blunt terms. “Forget Embiid. Embiid could say whatever he wants. Embiid could tell us, ‘don’t sell the tickets to the Knicks fans.’ We’re taking over,” he said. He also added, “We’re going to take over Philly. This is home field advantage for our team in a different state. I hope we catch a W.”

Hudson Perl dismissed Embiid’s request as a sign of weakness. “just shows how … sorry a fan base” he said, and added, “Like you should not be saying to people, ‘don’t sell your tickets.’ Your fans should be there automatically.”

Jake Bornstein kept the same tone. “I think we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna overtake Philly,” he said. “We’re gonna mess with the Philly fans. It’s gonna be hella fun.”

Philadelphia after 2024

Embiid said on Saturday that the last time the teams met in the 2024 playoffs, Knicks fans flooded Philadelphia and made it feel like Madison Square Garden East. That memory hung over Game 3, with the Knicks having already won the first two games at MSG and looking to keep control of the series on the road.

Before the game, Nick Nurse said he thought Embiid “is gonna give it a shot.” The crowd fight became part of the playoff edge in a series already tilted by New York’s early 2-0 lead.