The New York Knicks are finally getting their one shining moment after 53 years of waiting. Jalen Brunson and Co. hoisted their NBA championship banner at Madison Square Garden. But one raging team wants to spoil this special night. It is none other than the Philadelphia 76ers led by LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. Knicks fans show obvious disdain whenever these rivals visit. They made that known when the veteran superstar was at the line.
Knicks fans erupt to chant and distract 76ers' James at the free-throw line
There is a long history of rivalry between the Knicks and the 76ers. These two franchises have duked it out in the Atlantic Division for decades. They met on NBA Opening Night. One squad, led by Jalen Brunson, is expected to cap a career's worth of work by hoisting the NBA championship banner at Madison Square Garden. The other? Well, their Larry O'Brien hopes have just started. They have already seen what Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe are capable of. Now, they also have LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the squad.
Knicks fans are notorious for doing everything they can to make their Atlantic Division rivals falter on their home court. So, what did they do against the 76ers? The crowd made it clear that James wasn't welcome at MSG. They started chanting, "We don't want you!" at the top of their lungs to distract the veteran 76ers star, via Justin J. Lopez.
Fans chant “WE DON’T WANT YOU!” At LeBron James. #Knicks #AlwaysKnicks #NewYorkForever https://t.co/bWfW7hdvQr
— Justin J. Lopez (@stellar_jl319) October 20, 2026The chant did get to James at the free-throw line. He missed the opportunity at the charity stripe when the Knicks crowd erupted.
Notably, this is a mind trick Knicks fans are playing on James, and it goes both ways. First, he lives in New York City instead of Philadelphia despite playing for the 76ers. His daily commute by a Fanatics-sponsored helicopter has caused quite a stir.
Second, recent reports have surfaced that James wanted to be drafted by the Knicks instead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
In both scenarios, Knicks fans have already decided to make him unwelcome at their home stadium.
More than that, the Knicks crowd also seemed to get in James' head even when the ball is live. At the halfway mark of the third quarter, the 76ers star didn't look like his normal self. He managed only 11 points on 55.5% shooting and went 0-for-3 from three-point range despite three attempts from deep.
James is making an effort to impact the game in a different way. He has dropped five assists to help with the 76ers' offensive rhythm. Defensively, Coach Nick Nurse has also seen him grab four rebounds while getting two steals.
The 76ers and Knicks still have a quarter and a half to play in this NBA season opener. However, Brunson and Co. have a solid sixth man off the bench who can affect their opponents' production.
