The New York Knicks managed to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 on Thursday to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, despite having fewer fans in Philadelphia.
A loud contingent of Knicks fans made their way to Philadelphia for Game 4 of the series and made Philadelphia sound like Madison Square Garden. The Knicks ended up winning Game 4, and their fans momentarily took over the 76ers' home base by starting pro-Knicks chants in the concourse of the arena.
So, ahead of Game 6 in Philadelphia, the 76ers ownership group announced that they had bought over 2,000 tickets to distribute to first responders and healthcare professionals.
After Game 6, which ended the Sixers' season, Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart couldn't help but poke fun at the Sixers' ownership.
"We knew this was going to be a tough environment," Hart said in his postgame presser. "Tougher than last time because there was 2,500 seats that were taken up."
The comment elicited chuckles from Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, Hart's two Villanova teammates, who were sitting next to him.
Brunson also poked fun at the move by the Sixers, saying he was glad there was still some Knicks fans in attendance.
"I’m just glad we got enough Knick fans down here, they didn’t buy all the tickets," Brunson said. "And so I’m really happy about that.”
The Knicks now advance to take on the Indiana Pacers, with the series starting Monday at 7:30PM ET in new York.