Joel Embiid has urged Philadelphia 76ers fans not to sell their playoff tickets to New York Knicks supporters, offering to cover any financial losses out of his own pocket. The plea came after the 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 109-100 on Saturday to advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, where they will face the third-seeded Knicks.
Embiid, who scored 34 points in the Game 7 victory, expressed concern that Knicks fans would again dominate the Wells Fargo Center, as they did when the teams met in the 2023 playoffs. 'If you need money, I've got you,' said Embiid, who is earning $58m this season. 'Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you.'
The 76ers became just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, while VJ Edgecombe contributed 23. The Celtics, missing Jayson Tatum due to knee stiffness, struggled from three-point range, finishing 13 of 49. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points.
Embiid, who returned from appendectomy surgery in Game 4, became the first player to score 100 points in a playoff series after missing the first three games. 'He put a lot of pressure on us,' Brown said. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla defended his team's reliance on three-pointers, saying, 'I love the looks we got... but I hate the result.'
Game 1 against the Knicks is scheduled for Monday night in New York.
