PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after his team’s 118-115 loss against the New York Knicks in game six of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on May 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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Ahead of Friday night’s Game 3 in Philadelphia between the 76ers and Knicks, the Sixers are donating tickets to teachers so Knicks fans don’t buy them.
Earlier Friday, “the 76ers announced plans to ensure Philadelphia’s passionate fans are in the building this weekend. 76ers are donating 500 tickets for each remaining home game this round to community groups fired up about Philadelphia and committed to making our hometown a better place,” the team announced.
“For tonight’s game, the 76ers organization will be hosting 250 frontline medical personnel from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine and 250 local educators selected by Learn Fresh, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, The School District of Philadelphia, and Camden City School District.
“This Sunday, which is also Mother’s Day, the 76ers will be hosting 500 moms and children selected by Uplift Center for Grieving Children, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, La Liga del Barrio, and Apologues.
“We love this city and the intensity and passion of our fans,” said Josh Harris, managing partner of the 76ers. “We know they’ll bring it tonight and Sunday at our big playoff games at Xfinity Mobile Arena. This is also a tremendous opportunity to welcome fans who may not have otherwise had the chance to attend, so they can experience the Philly playoff energy live. To that end, we are thrilled to partner with several leading community organizations and donate tickets to educators, frontline medical personnel, and local families for our upcoming home games. This will be fun!”
Two years ago during the NBA playoffs, Knicks fans took over Wells Fargo Center to the point that it felt like “Madison Square Garden South” to the 76ers.
Ahead of the series, Joel Embiid warned fans not to sell their tickets and even offered to pay for them to insure a homecourt atmosphere for games at the arena, now called Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“I have a message for our fans,” Embiid, who is questionable for Game 3 (ankle sprain, hip soreness, said ahead of the series. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like (Philly) was Madison Square Garden East. We’re gonna need the support.
“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere you guys created in the last two games, especially in (Game 6), we need all of it. Knicks fans travel; they buy tickets. There’s gonna be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
The Sixers, meantime, are officially trying to restrict ticket sales to prevent Knicks fans from buying them, a practice that is not uncommon in pro sports.
“Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area,” the team announced. “Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
Meantime, per The Action Network, “Knicks fans face a $3,611.73 playoff family outing at Madison Square Garden — the highest total cost in the analysis, and $1,481.20 more than a regular season game at MSG.”
The Knicks lead the series 2-0.