After the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks, star guard Tyrese Maxey openly voiced his disappointment over the overwhelming presence of Knicks supporters inside Philadelphia’s home arena during the series. Despite playing on their own court in Games 3 and 4 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Sixers struggled to create a true home-court atmosphere as thousands of Knicks fans filled the stands and made their presence loudly felt throughout the games.
Speaking candidly after the season-ending defeat on Sunday, Maxey admitted that the situation was frustrating and discouraging for the team. He explained that hearing louder cheers for the opposing team in Philadelphia than in New York itself was difficult to process. According to Maxey, the energy in Madison Square Garden during the series actually felt less intense for the Knicks compared to what the Sixers experienced in their own arena.
Maxey emphasized that the responsibility ultimately falls on the team to stop opposing fans from taking over their home games. He stated that the best solution is simple: win games consistently. In his view, success on the court would energize the Philadelphia fanbase and naturally create a stronger home atmosphere. While he acknowledged that he did not know how the organization could realistically prevent Knicks fans from buying tickets, he admitted the experience “definitely sucks” and was painful for the players.
Earlier in the series, reigning MVP Joel Embiid had also addressed the issue publicly. Embiid urged 76ers fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks supporters, stressing that the playoff atmosphere was bigger than individual profits and that the team needed the backing of its home crowd.
However, despite concerns about the crowd imbalance, the Knicks appeared dominant throughout the series regardless of venue. Led by standout performances and exceptional team basketball, New York completed a commanding sweep of Philadelphia with a crushing 144–114 victory in Game 4. The Knicks have emerged as one of the hottest teams in the NBA playoffs, recording seven straight postseason victories and overwhelming opponents with explosive offense and efficient shooting.
The Game 4 blowout also placed the Knicks in rare historical company. They became only the fourth team in NBA history to finish multiple playoff series with victories of 30 points or more. According to ESPN statistics, the only other teams to accomplish that feat were the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2008 Boston Celtics, and the 1987 Los Angeles Lakers — all teams that eventually went on to win the NBA championship.
During their impressive seven-game playoff winning streak, New York has dominated opponents by an average margin of more than 26 points per game while shooting nearly 55 percent from the field and over 43 percent from three-point range. Their offensive production has been among the best in the league, averaging more than 125 points per game during that stretch.
Even with the dominant sweep, Knicks star Jalen Brunson insisted that the team was not getting carried away with celebration. Brunson explained that the Knicks remain focused on the bigger goal ahead and understand the importance of maintaining discipline, attention to detail, and competitive intensity as the playoffs continue.
With the series victory secured, the Knicks now advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they are set to face either the Detroit Pistons or the Cleveland Cavaliers. New York now sits just four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in 26 years, fueling growing excitement among the franchise’s fanbase and across the league.
