For three games, Joel Embiid was unavailable. Then he returned and flipped the series. Coming off an appendectomy, he powered the Philadelphia 76ers to a 4-3 comeback over the Boston Celtics, capped by a 109-100 Game 7 win in Boston. As the celebration settled, Embiid quickly shifted focus, delivering a clear message to fans about protecting home court in the next round.

The seventh-seeded Sixers now face the third-seeded New York Knicks in the second round, starting Monday. Ahead of the matchup, Embiid said, “I just have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like Philadelphia 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.”

That message traces back to the 2024 playoff meeting between these teams, when Knicks fans flooded Philadelphia’s arena, now known as the Xfinity Mobile Arena. The atmosphere tilted heavily toward New York, and the Sixers were unable to stop the momentum as the series slipped away, leaving a lasting impression on Embiid.

After that series, Embiid openly criticized the home crowd, saying, “It kind of pisses me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town.” That frustration resurfaced again this week, along with a stronger call for support.

Embiid added, “Knicks fans travel, they buy tickets. There’s going to be people who sell tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it. We need you guys. We need the support, and we need it to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

Embiid’s production after returning stood out across the league. He scored over 100 points in the series despite missing the first three games, highlighting his impact in limited time. His performance drew praise from former NBA star Tracy McGrady.

Joel Embiid’s return powered the Sixers’ comeback

Embiid changed the series immediately after returning from surgery. Over the final four games, he averaged roughly 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists while anchoring both ends of the floor. In Game 7, he delivered 34 points and 12 rebounds, helping Philadelphia complete a 3-1 comeback, only the 14th such comeback in NBA history.

The win also ended a long drought against Boston, marking Philadelphia’s first playoff series victory over the Celtics since 1982. Previous postseason matchups had consistently gone Boston’s way, but this time the outcome flipped.

McGrady emphasized the significance of Embiid’s effort. “A lot of people want to get on him for missing games, but he really loves basketball. He laid his body on the line for his team in this series after surgery. He has no control over injuries. For him to be MVP and have the success he’s had, he’s still building on that,” McGrady said.

Embiid’s return shifted the series and reset expectations for Philadelphia. Now, as the matchup moves to New York and eventually back home, his message is clear. The performance on the court has been set. The environment around it needs to match.