New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers - GAME 3 NBA PLAYOFFS - Eastern Conference Semi Finals

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The Eastern Conference semifinals between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have opened with a statement from New York, as the Knicks marched out to a commanding 2–0 lead at Madison Square Garden and now head to Philly with a chance to put a stranglehold on the series in Game 3.

Game 1 set the tone for how ruthless this Knicks group can be when they’re locked in on both ends. New York absolutely ran Philadelphia off the floor, cruising to a 137–98 blowout that instantly flipped whatever momentum the Sixers thought they’d carried out of their dramatic 3–1 comeback against Boston. The Knicks became the first team in this postseason to string together three straight wins by at least 25 points, showing that their late‑season surge and first‑round dominance were no fluke. Their offense carved up Philadelphia’s defense in the paint and in transition, while their versatile front line and physical guards smothered driving lanes and forced the Sixers into tough, late‑clock looks.

If Game 1 was a rout, Game 2 was a test of poise. With Joel Embiid a late scratch and the series already tilting in New York’s favor, Philadelphia showed real desperation and pushed the Knicks into a grind‑it‑out battle. Behind Tyrese Maxey’s 26 points and a more connected defensive effort, the Sixers stayed within striking distance all night and even took the lead late in the fourth. But when it mattered most, it was Jalen Brunson time.

The Knicks’ All‑Star guard shook off a rough shooting start and closed like a closer, finishing with 26 points and repeatedly punishing switches in the mid‑range to steady New York in the final minutes of a 108–102 win. Karl-Anthony Towns was huge as a secondary hub, posting 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, stretching the floor, attacking mismatches, and keeping the ball moving whenever Philly loaded up on Brunson. Even with Josh Hart banged up after hurting his hand/wrist and briefly leaving the game, he buried a massive three with just under seven minutes left, flipping the momentum back to New York after Kelly Oubre Jr. had given the Sixers a brief lead from deep.

The context around those first two games only adds more intrigue heading into Game 3. Philadelphia is back home at Xfinity Mobile Arena, but this is a group that won only once at home in the Boston series and now again finds itself in a deep hole, this time against a Knicks team that has been the class of the East so far in these playoffs. Embiid’s health looms over everything; he’s listed as questionable with hip and ankle issues after missing Game 2, while New York has its own injury concerns with OG Anunoby’s hamstring and Hart’s thumb.

Through two games, New York has controlled the paint offensively, shooting an eye‑popping 69.5% at the rim and around the restricted area in this series, a mark that would rank among the best in any playoff matchup over the past three decades. Their physicality on the glass, versatility across the front line, and the steady late‑game shotmaking of Brunson have combined to make them look like legitimate Finals favorites, especially if Anunoby is healthy enough to keep anchoring the wing defense. At the same time, Philly has already shown in Round 1 that they’re comfortable living on the brink, and Maxey has the scoring gear to swing a game on his own if the supporting cast hits shots.

Now, with the series shifting to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 and the Knicks up 2–0, the pressure flips squarely onto the 76ers. Game 3 isn’t just about extending the series—it’s about finding out whether Embiid’s body can hold up, whether Maxey can carry them again, and whether this Knicks team is ready to slam the door and push one step closer to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.