Isaiah Hartenstein sends message to Joel Embiid ahead of Knicks-76ers Christmas rivalry clash

ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN can’t wait for a Christmas showdown with Joel Embiid at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks forward won’t be wishing the Philadelphia 76ers star a happy holidays.

Getty Images – GettyIsaiah Hartenstein hopes the New York crowd can lift the Knicks to a Christmas Day win[/caption]

ReutersNew York face a Philadelphia 76ers team that features Joel Embiid[/caption]

Instead the German-American will be tasked with slowing Embiid down.

The Knicks and 76ers begin the NBA’s Christmas Day program with their showdown in Manhattan.

And Hartenstein, 24, told The Sun: “You got an MVP candidate on their team so it’s going to be a great challenge.

“Joel Embiid coming in, it’s going to be a special game and a fun game.

“They’re only a three-hour drive, so it’s kind of a rivalry for both fan bases.

“I’ve played on Christmas before but especially here in New York I think it’s going to be a great experience.”

The Knicks went on an eight-game win streak in December having lost a lot of close games earlier in the season.

They’ve dropped their last two and are hoping to bounce back at home on Christmas Day.

Hartenstein has averaged 20 minutes a game off the bench and brought energy to the rotation.

And the 24-year-old is counting on the New York crowd’s festive energy to get them over the line.

He said: “We try and represent the city of New York. It’s a lot of hard work and passion. We try to represent that in our game.

“It’s always a good energy at MSG and it’s always great to play here.

“You see a lot of Christmas movies and stuff in New York.

“It’s always a great blessing to play on Christmas Day and to be in New York.”