76ers Donating Playoff Tickets to Local Community Groups After Embiid's Comments on Knicks Fans
After Joel Embiid called on Philadelphia 76ers fans to show out in full force for their series against the New York Knicks, the team is taking steps to ensure Xfinity Mobile Arena is loaded with Sixers fans.
According to the Associated Press, the 76ers are donating 500 tickets to local community groups for each of their home games in the series.
Tickets for Game 3 on Friday will be split evenly, with 250 going to frontline medical personnel from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. The other 250 tickets will be given to local educators from the Philadelphia area.
Moms and children selected by Uplift Center for Grieving Children, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, La Liga del Barrio and Apologues will receive the 500 tickets for Game 4 on Sunday.
When these two teams last met in the playoffs during the 2023-24 season, Knicks fans seemed to overwhelm the arena in Philadelphia.
Embiid even commented on the situation after New York won Game 4, calling it "disappointing" to hear so many Knicks fans in their building.
After the Sixers beat the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their first-round series on May 2, Embiid requested Philadelphia fans don't sell their tickets to Knicks fans for their upcoming series.
"I just have a message for our fans," Embiid said. "Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys."
The 76ers need all the help they can get right now after dropping the first two games against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
It's unclear right now if Embiid, who missed Game 2 due to hip and ankle injuries, will return on Friday night. He is officially listed as questionable.
Philadelphia was able to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate Boston in the first round. It will need a similar turnaround if it hopes to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Game 3 between the Knicks and 76ers from Xfinity Mobile Arena will tipoff on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
