Following Game 3’s loss, New York Knicks fans allowed their rage to simmer for two days. Mitchell Robinson did not play in the second half because he re-sprained the ankle he had surgery on in December. Joel Embiid scored 50 points despite being called for an ejection in the first quarter. There was a lot to process.
Many of the Knicks supporters that attended Game 4 at Wells Fargo Centre also attended Game 3. Perhaps Embiid’s theatrics influenced more fans to come out in favour of New York on Sunday. It certainly sounded that way.
Jalen Brunson scored a Knicks postseason franchise-high 47 points, and supporters chanted MVP. Sixers fans attempted to drown them out with boos, but their attempts failed.
Hearing MVP chants for Jalen Brunson in the Wells Fargo Center is pretty embarrassing can’t lie
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) April 28, 2024
Following New York’s 97-92 victory, fans gathered outside the arena to celebrate. Knicks fans took over a hostile setting. When asked about the New York fandom, Joel Embiid stated it “pissed” him off and that he had never seen rival fans take over an arena like that.
Joel Embiid was disappointed that Knicks supporters had taken over Wells Fargo Centre.
The drive from New York to Philadelphia is short, but Sixers fans did not take over MSG in Games 1 and 2. The Knicks took notice of it. Brunson gave a well-deserved appreciation to the fans during his postgame interview.
There will probably be fewer Philadelphia fans in Game 5 than in the first two. Why would they want the Sixers to lose the series? The higher ticket prices at MSG compared to Wells Fargo Centre should have encouraged more Sixers supporters to attend games in Philadelphia.
If Embiid was frustrated with Sixers fans for not filling the stands, he should ready for Game 5. He has created a lot of enemies since the show left New York. Knicks fans will be relentless.
New York is just one game away from having the last laugh. Although the series is stacked in the Knicks’ favour, the team requires the MSG audience to be the loudest it has ever been. Knowing their fanbase, they will deliver.
