Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart go in on Philly sports down debate after 76ers series

The New York Knicks came out in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers and won Games 1 and 2 at home. They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home-court against a Conference rival. But what Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the Knicks did after that was very impressive.

New York came into Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia and eviscerated the 76ers in their own arena while Knicks fans appeared to outnumber Sixers fans to the point where multiple pro-Knicks chants broke out in both games.

After the game, Knicks forward Josh Hart joked that he thought Philadelphia was a sports town, but that he apparently was wrong. The way New York fans took over Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia was rather embarrassing for 76ers fans, and Hart wouldn’t let them hear the end of it.

With the Knicks having a week off before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Detroit Pistons, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson recorded an episode of their Roommates Show. It was there that the two Knicks teammates decided to have a conversation about what does and doesn’t constitute a, “sports town.”

“I was wrong in part of my post-game interview,” Josh Hart said. “I said Philly wasn’t a sports town. I thought it was, but it’s no longer is.”

“Come on now,” Jalen Brunson responded.

“I just have to say because—”

“Philly’s a sports town,” Brunson interjected. “It’s not a sports town. They’re diehard and they love the Eagles. What’s the definition of a sports town?”

“You can’t be a sports town if another team fan base takes over your arena. You cannot be a sports town if that happens. Boston? Sports town.”

“Is LA a sports town?”

“You won’t see anyone take over their arena. So yes. It’s more of a sports town than Philly.”

“So when the 49ers come to SoFi Stadium, it’s all red there. They’re newer in their sports town though.”

“No, bro.”

“Because of Rams, they just got back. So I mean, it’s going to take a little bit of time to kind of, you know, cultivate that environment, but they’re almost there. But we’ve taken over Philly.”

“We’re down the street.”

“I don’t care.”

“We’re down the street from Boston. Have we ever taken over TD Garden? No. And you will never see Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum sitting there saying, fans, we need y’all to come out because if y’all don’t, the Knicks are going to [take over], they’re never going to say that because they don’t have to.”

“So I get what you’re saying. It’s a sports town, brother.”

“Not a sports town.”

“It’s a sports town.”

“I was wrong in part of my post game interview. I said Philly wasn’t a sports town. I thought it was, but it’s no longer… It’s not a sports town. They’re diehard and they love the Eagles. You cannot be a sports town if another team’s fanbase takes over your arena.” @BetMGM pic.twitter.com/KfcT1aaydg

— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) May 15, 2026

Jalen Brunson has led the Knicks to an 8-2 record through the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs. In 34.7 minutes a game, Brunson has averaged 27.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists whiel shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three.

Josh Hart has been very effective in his own ways, averaging 10.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the Knicks.

The post Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart go in on Philly sports down debate after 76ers series appeared first on ClutchPoints.