Sixers purchase, plan to give away Game 6 tickets to keep Knicks fans out
On the brink of elimination from the NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers are taking steps to make sure their homecourt advantage in Game 6 against the New York Knicks is more to their advantage.
Upset with the volume (measured in both numbers and decibels) of Knicks fans in their own building in a Game 4 loss, the Sixers ownership group has purchased 2,000 tickets to tonight's game and will be giving away those seats to "first responders, health care professionals and other local Philadelphia-based organizations."
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin announced the plan Wednesday on social media, saying "(W)e absolutely CANNOT let Knicks fans take over our arena again!!!"
Star center Joel Embiid was particularly critical of the atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center during the Sixers' 97-92 loss on Sunday that put them in a 3-1 hole.
"I love our fans. 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," Embiid said. "Yeah, it kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town. They've always shown up, and I don't think that should happen. Yeah, it's not OK."
The Sixers managed to stay alive with an improbable 112-106 overtime victory at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, setting up a return trip to Philly.
Philadelphia native and NCAA championship-winning women's basketball coach Dawn Staley offered her encouragement to the fans as well, imploring them not to sell their Game 6 tickets to Knicks fans.
The Sixers may be a little "short-handed" tonight. Coach Nick Nurse apparently injured his finger when he slammed his hand down in frustration during Game 5, to the point where he couldn't draw up plays during the second half.
However, with his team's season on the line, Nurse is not expected to face any limitations in tonight's game.