Joel Embiid Responds To Knicks Fans’ Portrayal Him As Villain
It was anticipated that the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks would crown their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with a victory in Game 5.
For the second year in a row, the Knicks could taste victory with less than thirty seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, leading by six points. All they had to do was protect home court and win the series, which they were leading three games to one.
Although Philadelphia rallied to win 112-106 in overtime, Joel Embiid, the current MVP, and Tyrese Maxey (46 points) delivered historic performances that made sure the 76ers would survive to fight another day and cemented Embiid‘s status as a “villain” in New York City.
Embiid talked to media after the Knicks won Game 5 on Tuesday night, following his triple-double at Madison Square Garden despite a barrage of jeers and boos from the home crowd. Embiid has accepted his role as the villain that Knicks supporters need him to be, despite the fact that he “loves” and even resides in New York City.
“It’s okay if I have to be the punching bag and you hear a lot of ‘F Embiid,'” “I love it.”
Joel Embiid
With Bell’s palsy, a disorder that causes weakness or even paralysis on one side of the face, Embiid has battled through migraines, persistent knee pain, and one episode of the condition only in this season.
With nine turnovers, which would have allowed him to record a rare quadruple-double, Embiid somehow managed a triple-double to keep Philadelphia alive on Tuesday night. He finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
As the series progresses and, arguably, momentum shifts in favor of Philadelphia, Joel Embiid and Sixers supporters are ecstatic that the team will force a Game 6 on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Knicks supporters’ contempt for the big man is building.
