In a stunning display of fan fervor, New York Knicks supporters took control of the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers, during the climactic Game 6 of their playoff series. Despite concerted efforts by the 76ers’ management to bolster home support by distributing over 2,000 tickets to local first responders and fans, the Knicks’ faithful were undeterred.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch post-game as Knicks fans unleashed a barrage of NSFW chants directed at 76ers’ star Joel Embiid.
Sixers ownership and Michael Rubin spent enough money to feed 50 families for a year, on tickets to a basketball game to keep Knicks Fans out
Joel Embiid is still getting “F Embiid” chants in his own house, and he’s headed to Cancun pic.twitter.com/o1ipCUJ81F
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) May 3, 2024
Knicks fans have taken over the concourse at Wells Fargo Center following their first round series win over the Sixers
(via @ChrisKirschner)pic.twitter.com/yI48a5OZoB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 3, 2024
The situation was a culmination of tensions that had been brewing throughout the series. Earlier incidents, including a contentious play involving Embiid and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, had already set the stage for the heated exchange. Embiid’s aggressive playstyle, which resulted in a couple of flagrant fouls, only added fuel to the fire, turning him into a focal point for the Knicks fans’ ire.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, when asked about the hostile environment, responded with a pointed, “Was it hostile?”—a subtle nod to the overwhelming presence of Knicks fans in the arena. The Knicks’ victory was made all the sweeter by the vocal support of their fans, who made their presence felt in no uncertain terms.
