Legendary Announcer Dick Vitale Doesn't Hold Back on Sixers' 'Embarrassing' Sweep

The Philadelphia 76ers pushed the No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics to Game 7, and that made people think they could go even further when they entered a seven-game battle with the New York Knicks. Joel Embiid was healthier, and the team was playing inspired basketball.

The complete opposite happened. The Sixers were swept. They lost by double digits in three games, with the last one at Xfinity Mobile Arena ending in a 30-point defeat.

The Sixers were at full strength on Sunday for the do-or-die game. However, the team looked soulless right from the first quarter as they surrendered a 19-point deficit. The Knicks controlled the game from there.

Knicks fans celebrated and mocked the Sixers. Some Philly fans quickly moved on and felt content that the team made it that far.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale had a different take. To him, the effort shown by the Sixers deserved condemnation. He believed they showed little fight throughout the series.

Lack of a competitive sense of PRIDE by the @sixers as the @nyknicks totally humiliate Philadelphia as NY leads Philly 122-83 going into 4 th quarter. 76ers make a ZERO effort to guard anyone - EMBARRASSING!

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 10, 2026

Losing by 30 points in the most important game of the season can be deflating. Embiid tried his best and scored 24 points, but the collective commitment was not there. The starting five combined for a minus-155 plus/minus rating.

While Vitale was highly critical of the Sixers, Embiid felt satisfied with his season. He believed he still succeeded despite everything he went through. He said he entered the season unsure of how long he would be able to play because of the injuries he suffered over the last two years.

He also put things into perspective, saying that getting swept by the Knicks would not define him.

"Whether I win or lose, I'll be sad if I don't win, but I don't think that's going to define me," he told reporters after the game.

"I wouldn't want anyone to think that basketball is all I have, because there's so much more in life than just basketball. You can ask all these guys; I care about winning more than anybody. It sucks to lose."

Related: Josh Hart Doubts Philly's Status as ‘Sports Town' After Knicks Sweep on Sunday

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 7:31 PM.