76ers’ Joel Embiid Responds to ‘F–k Embiid’ Chants from Knicks Fans: ‘I Love It’

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 1, 2024

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Joel Embiid is fine being a villain.

“It’s not hostile,” the Philadelphia 76ers big man told reporters when discussing his reception at Madison Square Garden during his team’s 112-106 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

“I love New York. New York is my favorite city in the world. I have a place here for the past five years. I just love New York. If I’ve got to be the punching bag and you hear a lot of ‘F Embiid,’ that’s ok. I love it.”

Embiid has certainly paid attention to the fans throughout this series, including when he took issue with the 76ers supporters allowing so many Knicks fans to infiltrate Wells Fargo Center during Game 4.

“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. 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 okay.”

The New York crowd wasn’t enough for the Knicks to close out the series against Embiid and Co. during Tuesday’s game even though they had a 96-90 lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation.

Tyrese Maxey completed a four-point play and then forced overtime with another triple after Josh Hart hit just one of two free throws on the other side. It was a stunning development during a series that has been filled with twists and turns, and the 76ers completed the win in the extra period.

Embiid was relatively quiet as a scorer and had nine turnovers but still notched a triple-double of 19 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and four blocks as he found a way to impact the game.

Philadelphia hosts Game 6 on Thursday and will have the opportunity to force a decisive Game 7 if it takes care of business at home.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 76ers dialed in from the start, especially after Embiid’s previous comments. If that is the case, he may have the chance to be the villain in front of the New York fans one more time.