‘It pisses me off’: Embiid frustrated by Knicks fans’ takeover of Sixers arena
Jalen Brunson scored a career playoff-high with 47 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers 97-92 on Sunday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
But the story of the match was in the stands. Philadelphia star Joel Embiid was frustrated by the number of Knicks fans who were vocal in the Sixers’ arena. “[It’s] disappointing,” Embiid told ESPN. “I’ve never seen it and I’ve lived here for ten years. Yeah, it kind of pisses me off, especially since Philly is considered a sports town. They’ve always shown up, and I don’t think that should happen. Yes, it’s not okay.”
Embiid led Philadelphia with 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots, but was frustrated by an arena that at times looked more like Madison Square Garden than the Wells Fargo Center. It was the second time in two games that Knicks fans were able to drown out the Sixers fans. A robust “Let’s go Knicks!” chant took over in the second quarter of Game 3 in Philadelphia and on Sunday Brunson was treated to “MVP!” chants as he approached the free-throw line.
“I love our fans. I’m sorry, and I’m not calling them out, but it’s disappointing,” Embiid said. “Obviously you have a lot of Knicks fans, and they’re on their way.”
Brunson set a franchise playoff scoring record and also became the first player in franchise history to post at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive playoff games. “I’m not going to lie, this Philadelphia fan base, I’ve said this before, they’re very relentless and very passionate,” Brunson said after the game. “I mean, I’m an Eagles fan. I would know. But seeing the Knicks and hearing the Knicks here is pretty cool. It is awesome.”
Brunson appeared to injure his knee late in the third quarter, but returned a few minutes into the fourth. He shot 18 of 34 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free throw line.
Brunson knocked down two free throws with 5.2 seconds left for a five-point lead, 97-92.
OG Anunoby added 16 points and 14 rebounds, Miles McBride scored 13 and Josh Hart grabbed 17 rebounds.
“Everyone was questioning the rebounding with Josh (Hart) at the four. We’ve been the best rebounding team all year,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Everyone was wondering if Jalen (Brunson) is a leader, you know, we have a lot to prove.”
New York center Mitchell Robinson missed the second half of Game 3 with a sprained left ankle and was ruled out for Game 4.
Embiid had scored a playoff career-high 50 points on Thursday despite struggling with his surgically repaired left knee during the Sixers’ win over the Knicks in Game 3. He has also been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.
“He felt good and wanted to go,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid playing the entire second half. “All these games have to be won, and we didn’t have a good period when he came off in the first half.”
Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points for the Sixers, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 and Tobias Harris had 10.
After the game, Knicks fans took over the halls as is their custom today Playoff party.
“They are two close organizations,” Maxey said. “Honestly, they live right down the street from us. So it is what it is, and you just gotta go out there and beat that.
The Knicks lead the series 3-1 with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday in New York.