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Philly Icons Call Sixers Fans to Action Following Game 5 Win vs Knicks

The Sixers are looking to avoid a takeover.

Justin Grasso

Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Julius Erving presents Philadelphia 76ers guard Mac McClung
Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Julius Erving presents Philadelphia 76ers guard Mac McClung / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers found themselves fighting to keep their season alive. Down 3-1 to the New York Knicks, they had to win in a jam-packed Madison Square Garden to avoid elimination.

Thanks to some late-game heroics from Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers were able to take down the Knicks in overtime. The All-Star guard erupted for 46 points and nine assists to force a Game 6 in Philadelphia.

When the series was in Philly for games three and four, there was an abundance of Knicks fans in the arena. Following this impressive win, countless Philly icons called fans to action. They urged people not to sell their tickets for Game 6 and to pack the Wells Fargo Center with Sixers fans.

Among those urging for this on social media were Sixers legend Dr. J and University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.

Philly area rapper Lil Dicky also joined this cause. He doesn’t want to see swarms of opposing fans in the arena as the Sixers look to force a Game 7.

Aside from Maxey, Joel Embiid was also among the top standouts for the Sixers in their Game 5 win. The reigning MVP notched a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tobias Harris also came alive with 19 points after struggling offensively to start the series.

Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night, with tip-off slated for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Justin Grasso

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA