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Knicks fans took over the Wells Fargo Center as they celebrated beating the Sixers. Joel Embiid says ‘it’s not OK.’

Charles Barkley called out Philly fans during Game 3. But at Game 4, New Yorkers were even more noticeable.

It wasn't just in Sunday's Game 4. Knicks fans made their presence known during Game 3 as well.
It wasn't just in Sunday's Game 4. Knicks fans made their presence known during Game 3 as well.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer

Knicks fans took over the Wells Fargo Center in Games 3 and 4 of the Sixers’ first-round series — but especially Sunday during a 97-92 New York victory. Even Joel Embiid noticed the heavy presence from New Yorkers in the crowd.

”I love our fans,” Embiid said postgame. “I think it’s unfortunate and I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing. Obviously you’ve 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 [ticks] 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 arena rang with “M-V-P” chants for Jalen Brunson, who scored a Knicks franchise-record 47 points, all game, but it was especially hard to miss after the game. Fans came together on the concourse to chant “[Expletive] Embiid” and “Knicks in five.”

Outside, the scene got even more intense, as the visiting fans put up a Knicks jersey on the statue of Wilt Chamberlain. Some even sold bootleg Knicks T-shirts near the main entrance.

Former Sixer Charles Barkley chastised the crowd on TNT after Game 3, saying, “You can’t have those people in your building making all that noise.” Based on Sunday’s crowd, it doesn’t seem like the message was received.

During Eagles and Phillies playoff games, Philadelphia is known for having one of the nation’s best home crowds. But that didn’t extend to the Sixers this weekend against the Knicks. The game felt closer to a neutral site, with fans from both sides cheering the entire game.

“This Philadelphia fan base, they’re very relentless, very passionate,” Brunson said postgame. “I’m an Eagles fan, I would know. Seeing the Knicks here, hearing the Knicks here, it was pretty awesome. ... They’re for real. No matter where we are, they’re going to be there.”