Joel Embiid: ‘I thought Philadelphia was a sports town’

The Philadelphia 76ers fell in Game 4 of their first-round matchup against the New York Knicks on Sunday. And after the game, 76ers star Joel Embiid had a very clear message for the 76ers fanbase that may get him in some hot water.

Embiid and the 76ers were unable to defend their home court at the Wells Fargo Center against the Knicks thanks to a 46-point performance from Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

And similarly, 76ers fans were not able to defend their home turf, as Knicks fans were quite passionate after their team’s big win as the left the arena.

After Game 4 concluded, Knicks fans completely took over the Wells Fargo Center, with hundreds if not thousands of Knicks fans starting a “f*** Embiid” chant that ended up going viral on social media.

Wells Fargo Center is MSG south right now @TommyBeer pic.twitter.com/FSykMrzh91

— Jesse Golomb (@jessegolomb_) April 28, 2024

It’s obviously not a great look for 76ers fans to be completely run out of the arena for the most part after the loss. And Embiid was quite upset about this during his postgame press conference, ripping 76ers fans for allowing this to happen.

“Lot of Knicks fans,” said Embiid via the New York Post. “Never seen it. Been here 10 years. Kind of pisses me off. Philadelphia is supposed to be a sports town…”

Embiid calling out Philadelphia sports fans, who are typically regarded as some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, is certainly not going to make him all that favorable among those fans who may already be upset with him.

But it does send a message to the fans. If they perhaps provided a bit more energy from the stands, maybe the 76ers could have won this game.

Regardless, this series will now be headed back to New York for Game 5 on Tuesday, where there will be no doubt about the passion from the Knicks fanbase at Madison Square Garden…

[New York Post]