The Philadelphia 76ers’ off-court strategy heading into Game 6 of their NBA playoff series is to keep New York Knicks fans out of Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday night.
Team owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces Wednesday to purchase more than 2,000 tickets, which they distributed to people serving the Philadelphia community.
Wells Fargo Arena looked more like Madison Square Garden South during the Knicks’ 97-92 victory in Game 4 on Sunday, prompting 76ers star Joel Embiid to express his frustration with the home-court disadvantage.
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“[It’s] disappointing,” Embiid said after Game 4. “I’ve never seen it and I’ve been here for 10 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.”
A robust “Let’s go Knicks!” chant took over in the second quarter of Game 3 in Philadelphia and then, in Game 4, Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson was treated to “MVP!” chants as he approached the free-throw line.
On Tuesday, the Sixers won 112-106 in overtime in New York to close their deficit to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
After the more than 2,000 Game 6 tickets were purchased in bulk, Rubin announced on social media that they would be given to first responders, healthcare professionals and other Philadelphia-based organizations. “We absolutely CANNOT let Knicks fans take over our arena again!!!” Rub in wrote on X.
Dawn Staley, coach of the NCAA champion South Carolina women’s basketball team and a native of Philadelphia, also asked fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans.
“We need everyone’s support, man,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said.