PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid is disappointed, and not just because his Philadelphia 76ers are one game away from elimination.
Philadelphia lost 97-92 to the New York Knicks on Sunday, extending its first-round series deficit to 3-1, and Embiid said he found the home attendance “disappointing.”
Knicks fans packed much of the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday to cheer their team on, with point guard Jalen Brunson chanting MVP chants.
“I love our fans,” Embiid said after the game. “(I) think it’s unfortunate and I’m not going to condemn them, but it’s disappointing. Obviously you have a lot of Knicks fans who are on the road but I’ve never seen that and I’ve been here 10 Yeah, it kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town. But I don’t think this should happen.
“It kind of pisses me off, especially because Philadelphia is considered a sports town.” pic.twitter.com/zfghjGvi94
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 28, 2024
The New Yorkers didn’t show up simply because the Knicks have one of the largest fan bases in the NBA. It’s also about location.
Amtrak travels from New York’s Penn Station to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in just 90 minutes. On weekends, Knicks fans can take the train to Philadelphia at 1 p.m. and be home before dinner time. Of course, Knicks fans are known for their ease of travel.
The team often takes over crowds from other, less intense markets. Orlando is often nicknamed “New York South” because all the Knicks fans flock to the Kia Center whenever the Orange and Blue play. Knicks fans also flock to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., twice a year, as well as fans across the bridge at Barclays Center.
This isn’t the first time they’ve flocked to Wells Fargo Center, either. In January, Knicks fans packed into the 76ers’ 36-point victory over the Phillies. Finally, as many Philadelphia fans dispersed, Brunson heard the cheers of the MVP in the away court, where there was a group of enthusiastic fans – and the reigning MVP Embiid.
Philadelphia sports fans have a reputation of their own.
They live and die with major sports teams, including the 76ers. Brunson, who scored 47 points in Game 4, is more familiar with this than the average NBA player. He may have never played for the Sixers, but he excelled in college at Villanova University, which is located outside of Philadelphia and plays in the same arena as the Sixers.
“Wherever we are, they’re there. I’m grateful, I’m grateful…A lot of it wouldn’t happen without them.”
Brunson meets Knicks fans in Philadelphia and hears MVP cheers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ZJnyoULyJw
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2024
There is another reason.
“I’ve said it before, the Philly fan base is very persistent and very passionate,” Brunson said. “I mean, I’m an Eagles fan, I know, but it’s just cool to see the Knicks here and hear the Knicks. It’s great.
(Jesse D. Garabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
