Joel Embiid Issues Plea Ahead Of Playoff Series vs. Knicks

One of the Eastern Conference's second round NBA Playoff series is set.

The New York Knicks will be taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in Round 2. The Detroit Pistons will be playing the winner of the Cavs vs. Raptors game.

The series between the Knicks and the Sixers is sure to draw a lot of attention. The two East Coast cities are just 100 miles apart. The Sixers and the Knicks have played some fun battles over the years.

Ahead of the second round playoff series, Philadelphia's best player, Joel Embiid, is issuing a public plea.

Embiid, who helped the Sixers take down the Celtics in seven games in the opening round, is begging Philadelphia fans to hold onto their tickets.

Do not let the Knicks invade Philadelphia, he says.

"I just have a message for our fans," Embiid said after the Sixers won Game 7, per ESPN. "Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We're going to need the support.

"Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys."

Knicks fans will take that as a challenge

New York fans, who have invaded Philadelphia's arena in past years, are sure to take that as a challenge heading into the first round series.

You know that tickets are going to be available on the secondary market. Knicks fans will be scooping them up. The question, of course, is how many?

Game 1 of the Knicks vs. Sixers series is set for 8 p.m. E.T. on Monday night.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM.