New York Knicks fans and players taunted the Philadelphia 76ers after securing a series sweep of their NBA rivals in a 'Mother's Day Massacre.' The Knicks routed the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, securing a 144-114 win to claim the playoff series 4-0.
New York Takeover in Philadelphia
Thousands of New Yorkers took over the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Sunday night, and afterwards some of them crashed a local TV report. 'You would think I'm in New York right now instead of Philadelphia,' ABC reporter Cheyenne Corin said as she was mobbed by Knicks fans who cheered and held up signs, including one which read: 'Welcome to MSG East.'
In the locker room, meanwhile, Knicks star Josh Hart trolled Philadelphia supporters by insisting he was not surprised by the New York takeover. 'Everybody was begging for Philly to not sell their tickets,' he said. 'I used to think Philly was a sports town. I don't know if it is anymore.'
Joel Embiid's Pleas Ignored
Joel Embiid's pleas ahead of the series for Sixers fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans fell on deaf ears. Spike Lee and Timothee Chalamet were among the A-list New York fans that had tickets to Friday night's game in Philly. Knicks fans found their way around the Sixers' supposed ticket-buying barriers about as easily as the Knicks hit 3-pointers and appeared to have the overwhelming bulk of the 19,746 fans inside Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Some also printed off photos of Embiid getting posterized by Mitch Robinson on a Game 3 dunk. Knicks fans waved the photos at the oft-injured Embiid while he shot free throws, and they yelled at him: 'Mr. Glass!' To celebrate their sweep, some Knicks supporters also raised brooms outside the arena.
Fan Reactions
'I ain't going to lie, this is a Mother's Day massacre,' one Sixers fan told ABC. 'I left my mom [for this]... I have to make it up to momma.' Another called for head coach Nick Nurse to be fired, while one fan fought back tears as she discussed the 'heartbreaking' playoff loss.
