New York dominated Philadelphia in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, winning 144-114 at the 76ers’ home court on Sunday.
The visitors turned the Xfinity Mobile Arena into a home away from home as the Knicks completed a 4-0 sweep of the best-of-seven series to secure their second consecutive trip to the East Finals.
Josh Hart Sparks Debate by Questioning Philadelphia’s Fan Turnout in Game 4
One factor that helped New York clinch the series was the clear attendance disparity in Game 4. There were reports that New York fans tailgated outside the Xfinity Mobile Arena to claim the majority of tickets and dominated the crowd inside the facility.
The number of fans wearing New York colors did not escape the notice of Knicks guard Josh Hart, who questioned Philadelphia’s sports-town tag.
After the lopsided game, SNY asked Hart to comment on the number of visiting fans storming Philadelphia’s home arena, and the 6-foot-5 guard did not hide his feelings.
“Everybody was begging Philly to not sell their tickets. It’s … I used to think Philly was a sports town, I don’t know if it is anymore,” he said.
“I used to think Philly was a sports town, I don’t know if it is anymore”
Josh Hart says he wasn’t surprised at how many Knicks fans were in Philly: pic.twitter.com/kBNmhCFvNE
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 10, 2026
Hart’s remark drew mixed reactions from the NBA social media community, with one user calling it “diabolical rage bait.”
Diabolical rage bait https://t.co/kJRqQeP7gE
— Julia (@jquadddddd) May 11, 2026
Philadelphia fans, known for being intense, passionate, and rowdy in North America, should have been lining up to grab most of the tickets. But despite the team giving away free tickets to select community groups, the more excited Knicks fans still managed to dominate the seats.
NBA reporter and sports book author Yaron Weitzman offered an economic explanation for why Knicks fans essentially stormed Philadelphia.
“It’s the prices. Or, more specifically, how insanely expensive it is to go to MSG. That’s it. It’s significantly cheaper to go down to Philly and watch a game than to go the Garden. For Lots of Knicks fans, this is the only way they can even dream of going to a Knicks playoff game,” Weitzman posted on X.
It’s the prices. Or, more specifically, how insanely expensive it is to go to MSG. That’s it. It’s significantly cheaper to go down to Philly and watch a game than to go the Garden. For Lots of Knicks fans, this is the only way they can even dream of going to a Knicks playoff… https://t.co/xZRHJP6wrX
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) May 11, 2026
SNY TV NFL reporter Connor Hughes offered a three-word reaction to Hart’s observation, saying, “Oh my god.”
Oh my god https://t.co/XptzEm2hpp
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) May 10, 2026
Another user suggested Hart was inflicting a further beating on the 76ers, writing, “BODY BAG”.
BODY BAG https://t.co/B15RmPrbnb
— Anthony (@AnthonyBetss) May 11, 2026
Hart finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 from long range. He also tallied 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block for the Knicks.
Philadelphia star guard Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists in Game 4, also gave his take on the Knicks’ takeover.
Admitting that he felt embarrassed by the fan turnout for Games 3 and 4, Maxey said, “It absolutely sucks, if I’m being honest. That’s really all I can say about it…It’s only one way to put a stop to it, and it’s, we have to go out there and win these games.”
“Just being completely honest, we were better when we played them in the Garden this entire season. I know we lost Game 2 and 1, but Game 2 was better. The regular season was better. I was telling them, it felt louder here for them than it did in the Garden.”
With their season over, the 76ers will now look forward to a critical offseason in which they must bolster their depth and add quality pieces to their roster despite cap restrictions.
