Charles Barkley Issues Warning to Knicks Fans Hours After Giving Up on Injured Joel Embiid and 76ers

Before going into Game 5, the 76ers were 1-3 to the Knicks and Charles Barkley was very worried about ‘his’ team. The Sixers legend was rooting for his team to win but he also wanted to be realistic. In a rare show of appreciation for the Knicks, Chuck admitted they’re the better team. He even listed the reasons why he didn’t see Philadelphia winning in Madison Square Garden tonight. That changed with tonight’s overtime game ending in a 112-106 win for Philadelphia. The 180 he did after the game was on-brand for Knicks-hater Chuck.

Now that the series is heading back to Philly, Barkley is again the cranky old man wanting noisy kids off his turf. “I just want to say this, you New Yorkers, if y’all come down to Philadelphia with that damn racket Thursday night, it’s gonna be some repercussions and some consequences… That’s right, y’all better not come down to Philadelphia with that damn racket.” Sir Charles so eloquently said post-game to Knicks fans.

He said during Inside the NBA’s tip-off show that he was struggling to be “optimistic” about his Sixers but admitted it was going to be a long night for them. As the game went into overtime, Philly made a staggering 15 points. They are now 2-3 in the series, one game from tying the series. Chuckster might be more optimistic about that happening now.

Before the game, Barkley was afraid the electric atmosphere of The Garden and because “The Knicks are the better team” would be too much for the Sixers. Regarding Joel Embiid who just came back from a serious injury, Barkley said, “Joel’s playing on one leg. Philly’s supporting cast has not stepped up.” He name-dropped Kelly Oubre Jr. (with a lot of struggle), Buddy Hield, and Kyle Lowry for not doing more. Shaq contradicted him by saying the Sixers are going to win. Barkley still wasn’t optimistic till his Sixers proved otherwise.

Chuck wants a Philly affair

Tyrese Maxey came in clutch within the last seconds to take the game into overtime. He put up an outstanding 46 points. Embiid and Tobias Harris put up 19 points each. Oubre assisted with 14 points. Lowry went scoreless in 26 minutes but made 2 rebounds and 5 assists. They redeemed themselves from their last outing at the Garden and Chuck is strutting like a peacock.

The Sixers will host the Knicks at Wells Fargo on Thursday and also maybe some New Yorkers. Previously, Chuck was infuriated that his old home was full of Knicks fans chanting for Jalen Brunson louder than locals could cheer for the Sixers.

New Yorkers will likely drive down the turnpike for Game 6 and Chuck can’t do anything about it but whine in Atlanta’s Studio J. But it looks like his hopes in the Sixers has been restored.