MVP chants for Jalen Brunson. Infectious cheers of “Let’s Go Knicks!” Hysterical fans in orange and blue moshing in celebration.
None of this would be out of the ordinary – at Madison Square Garden.
But it happened Sunday afternoon at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, during a pivotal playoff game no less, with the 76ers very much alive in their first-round series against the Knicks.
In a stunning scene that shocked even the players, thousands of Knicks fans took over the Sixers’ home arena for Game 4, bringing with them their signature energy that often overpowered the cheers from the Philly faithful.
In the end, a New York contingent appearing to approach 50% of the attendance made its mark on the Knicks’ 97-92 victory, which put them up 3-1 in the series with a chance to advance to the second round with a win Tuesday at the Garden.
It’s INSANITY inside Wells Fargo pic.twitter.com/taufSxAbQM
— NYKTerry (@NykTerry) April 28, 2024
Sixers star Joel Embiid called the takeover “disappointing.” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse chose to downplay its significance. Brunson, who exploded for 47 points and 10 assists, hailed the road support as “awesome.”
“It means that they’re for real,” Brunson said of Knicks fans. “They’re for real, and no matter where we are, they’re gonna be there. I’m appreciative. I’m thankful. A lot of these situations wouldn’t be done without them.”
Sixers fans booed as the Knicks crowd chanted “M-V-P” for Brunson, who set a franchise record for points in a road playoff game. Chants of “F–k” Embiid — which originated earlier in the series at the Garden — made their way to Philly, too.
“Let’s Go Knicks!”
Crowd excited after Brunson bucket cuts the deficit to 4 and causes Philly TO. Fans bringing it in Game 4. pic.twitter.com/ZECmvNwvLC
— Perry Sook (@Sook_Sports) April 28, 2024
Can’t believe I just saw the greatest Knick playoff scoring performance live.
The soul of the city – Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/auwLpyyYEO
— NYKTerry (@NykTerry) April 28, 2024
After the win, Knicks fans congregated in the hallway, jumping up and down in their Julius Randle, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire jerseys. Outside of the arena, they circled up and continued the celebration, with some breaking and stomping on Sixers flags as others chanted “Go New York, go New York, go!”
At one point, revelers even placed a Knicks jersey on the Wilt Chamberlain statue outside of the Wells Fargo Center, according to Spencer McKercher, a digital video producer/editor for NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“In all my years working here, I haven’t seen a fan base take over as much as Knicks fans here,” McKercher tweeted. “There’s people selling Knicks SHIRTS outside in the concourse. What is going on[?]”
Making the ambush more surprising was that the 76ers – who went an impressive 31-8 in the regular season when Embiid played – had won Game 3 at home on Thursday, putting them in prime position to even the series.
Putting Knicks jerseys on the Wilt statue… it’s unsettling to see this. pic.twitter.com/8GbTo2kl5R
— Spencer McKercher (@swmckercher) April 28, 2024
But with Philadelphia only about 90 miles south of New York City – and tickets much cheaper than the $300+ get-in price the Garden normally commands – Knicks fans flooded Philly and turned a typically hostile environment into their home away from home.
“I love our fans,” Embiid said. “I think it’s unfortunate, and I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing. Obviously, you got a lot of Knicks fans, and they’re down the road, and I’ve never seen it, and I’ve been here for 10 years.”
The unusual Game 4 theatrics added another chapter to a tense series filled with storylines. The Knicks won a Game 1 in which Embiid appeared to aggravate his surgically repaired left knee, then stole Game 2 with a furious final-minute comeback highlighted by Donte DiVincenzo’s go-ahead 3-pointer.
The Sixers bounced back in Game 3 behind 50 points from Embiid, whose performance was somewhat overshadowed by a flagrant foul he committed on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson that DiVincenzo and others slammed as “dirty.”
Back at the Garden, Game 5 figures to feature no shortage of drama.
