The Philadelphia 76ers will walk into Madison Square Garden on opening night with plenty of attention surrounding their matchup against the New York Knicks. But one of Philadelphia's biggest stars has already made it clear that he has little interest in the celebrations planned before the game. Joel Embiid will not be watching the Knicks receive their championship rings, choosing instead to remain in the locker room.
"I don't really feel like watching that whole ceremony, so I guess I'll be in the locker room," Embiid said, via PHLY Sixers. The comment could be viewed as a subtle jab at New York, particularly given the history between Embiid and the Knicks. The 76ers have been at the center of several heated playoff battles with the franchise, including Philadelphia's second-round series against New York in 2024.
The Knicks swept the 76ers in the 2026 postseason before going on to win the NBA championship. Embiid now faces another opportunity to challenge New York, this time with a new Philadelphia roster. The timing makes Embiid's response particularly interesting.
The Knicks are preparing to raise their championship banner after ending a 53-year title drought. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has assembled a star-studded roster featuring Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. The regular-season opener is scheduled for October 20 at Madison Square Garden.
Embiid may prefer to skip the celebrations, but the game itself offers Philadelphia an opportunity to make an early statement. With James and Brown joining the roster, the Sixers have plenty of firepower to challenge the defending champions.
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