If you tuned in to Game 3 or 4 of the second-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, you probably noticed that it looked like there were more Knicks fans in the building than Sixers fans, despite the fact that the games took place at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Broad Street in South Philadelphia.
If you noticed this, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you. Knicks fans travel extremely well, especially when it comes to a playoff series against the division-rival Sixers, who sit just a couple of hours away from New York on I-95.
Tyrese Maxey Bemoans Overwhelming Presence of Knicks Fans in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 24: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks off the court after the game against the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
New York fans clad in orange-and-blue packed ‘The X’ from the floor to the rafters, and they were extremely vocal, with their chants consistently drowning out those from Sixers fans. If you didn’t know where the games were taking place, you would have thought that they were Knicks home games.
This is obviously something that was noticed by the players on both teams, and for Sixers players it was pretty deflating, which star guard Tyrese Maxey admitted after the game.
” It absolutely sucks if I’m being honest. It just sucks, bro. It just sucks. That’s really all I can say about it. It’s hard. It’s definitely difficult. There’s only one way to put a stop to it. We have to go out there and win these games,” Maxey said.
“To be completely honest, we were better when we played them in [Madison Square Garden] this entire season. … It felt louder here for them than it did at the Garden. We got to put a stop to it as a team. Winning these games, that’s what’s going to make our fans louder than theirs. I don’t know how to keep them out, I don’t know the logistics of it. But it does suck, I can’t even lie. It definitely does suck.”
Joel Embiid’s Plea to Philadelphia Fans Fell on Def Ears
Prior to the series with the Knicks, Sixers star center Joel Embiid urged Philly fans not to allow Knicks fans to take over their arena like they did in the first round back in 2024.
“I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Xfinity Mobile Arena] was Madison Square Garden East. So, we’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys,” Embiid said.
“… Knicks fans they travel. They’re going to buy the tickets and there’s going to be some people that need the money and are probably going to sell tickets. But don’t do it. We need you guys. We got a pretty good chance. We’re going to need our support. We’re going to need them to be extremely loud.”
Embiid’s plea apparently fell on def ears, as there were more Knicks fans than ever in Philadelphia for this year’s series.
Tyrese Maxey Gets Brutally Honest About Knicks Fans Taking Over 76ers’ Arena