Jalen Brunson, Knicks torch 76ers to open conference semifinals: Highlights
The New York Knicks started the conference semifinals the same way they closed the first round.
New York obliterated the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, May 4 in Game 1 of its second-round playoff series, 137-98. The Knicks became the first team in NBA playoff history to win three consecutive games by at least 25 points.
Jalen Brunson led all players with 35 points, while OG Anunoby poured in 18 and Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 17.
Philadelphia may have been dealing with a bit of a hangover from the first round, after it pushed the Boston Celtics to seven games. Sixers star players Joel Embiid (14 points on 3-of-11 shooting) and Tyrese Maxey (13 points on 3-of-9 shooting) simply could not find an early rhythm.
But the main issue for the Sixers was defense, as Philadelphia simply couldn’t slow New York’s operation; the Knicks shot the ball a remarkable 63.1%, even after it pulled its starters at the start of the fourth quarter, and drained 51.4% of their 3-point shots.
The Knicks outgunned Philadelphia 16-3 in fastbreak points, held a +26 edge in points in the paint and secured 10 more rebounds than the Sixers.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 at Madison Square Garden.
USA TODAY Sports followed all action from Madison Square Garden, so scroll below for a recap:
End Q3: Knicks 109, 76ers 78
This has been, simply, a domination.
Through three quarters, the Knicks are shooting an absurd 67.7% from the floor. They’re outworking Philadelphia in the paint, holding a 46-26 advantage in points down low. They’re turning turnovers into easy offense, with a 10-0 fastbreak points edge.
And Jalen Brunson is cruising with 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting to lead all players. Philadelphia, which may be showing some fatigue after its seven-game series in the first round, has had no answer for how to defend New York.
OG Anunoby is shooting 7-of-8 and has 18 points. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges have combined to go 14-of-21 for 34 points.
All five Sixers starters have reached double-figures in scoring, but Philadelphia is shooting just 42.4% from the field. Paul George leads all 76ers with 17 points.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have combined to score just 27 — eight fewer than Brunson.
End Q2: Knicks 74, 76ers 51
Just like the Knicks ended the first round, their offense is rolling. And Philadelphia simply has no answer.
New York is operating its offense with ease and control, with three players already in double-figures in scoring. Jalen Brunson leads all players with 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Brunson scored the final 11 New York points, as the 23-point lead is New York’s biggest of the game.
The Knicks are hammering the paint, with a 32-16 advantage over Philadelphia. But, frankly, it’s an offensive explosion from all over the floor; the Knicks shot 65.9% in the first half, compared to just 40% for the Sixers.
In fact, the Knicks also shot 9-of-17 (52.9%) from beyond the arc.
Philadelphia does have four of its five starts in double-figures in scoring, but Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have combined to shoot just 6-of-18 (33.3%).
The one saving grace for Philadelphia is that it has converted all 14 of its free throw attempts, but if the 76ers are to close the gap in the second half, it will need to come on the defensive end.
One early concern for the 76ers
Philadelphia has the star-level talent to compete with the Knicks. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George are a superb trio. The 76ers, however, will need other players to step up.
Thus far, with 8:41 to play in the first half, the Sixers have not had any player off the bench score a single point. In fact, Philadelphia reserves have taken just 2 shot attempts, both from Quentin Grimes.
The Knicks, by comparison, have totaled 9 bench points.
End Q1: Knicks 33, 76ers 25
As he has throughout the playoffs, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson carried his team in the first quarter. Brunson led all players with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting
The Knicks overall, made 10 of their first 15 shot attempts to start the game.
One interesting tactical adjustment from both teams: with Karl-Anthony Towns in early foul trouble, the Knicks inserted Mitchell Robinson earlier than normal. Sixers coach Nick Nurse opted to intentionally foul Robinson, who shot 40.8% from the stripe during the regular season, putting him on the line. After Robinson missed all 4 free throw attempts in the quarter, Knicks coach Mike Brown subbed Robinson out for reserve big man Ariel Hukporti.
The strategy slowed New York’s offensive operation, though the Knicks still shot 65% in the period.
Robinson later picked up his second foul, putting both Knicks big men in foul trouble.
For the 76ers, Joel Embiid led all players with 8 points, though he shot just 1-of-6 from the field, with six of his points coming on free throws.
Tyrese Maxey only took 1 shot, and scored 4 points, all on free throws.
Knicks vs. 76ers is underway
The second round of the NBA playoffs has officially started.
Neither Philadelphia nor New York have shot the ball particularly well in the early going, but the 76ers at least do not appear to have initial signs of wear coming off of their seven-game series against the Celtics.
One thing to watch: Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two fouls in his first five minutes on the floor.
The Knicks lead 14-13, with 5:40 left to play in the first.
Knicks vs. 76ers starting lineups
New York Knicks
- Jalen Brunson
- Mikal Bridges
- OG Anunoby
- Josh Hart
- Karl-Anthony Towns
Philadelphia 76ers
- Tyrese Maxey
- VJ Edgecombe
- Paul George
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Joel Embiid
Key players to watch in NBA conference semifinals
USA TODAY Sports tabbed one star player and one role player from each team remaining in the 2026 NBA playoffs whose contributions could swing their respective teams' conference semifinals series.
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Joel Embiid: The version of Embiid that played the final four games of the 76ers' first-round series win over the Celtics, combined with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, make Philadelphia a serious threat in this matchup. But will Embiid's body hold up?
- Jalen Brunson: The Knicks series against the Hawks swung in Game 5 when Brunson produced a 39-point gem, and he's two years removed from averaging 35.5 points and nine assists in a playoff series win.
- Mikal Bridges: He was mostly a non-factor in the first round, but came alive for 24 points in a Game 6 blowout over the Hawks. Bridges should factor heavily in the Knicks' strategy for slowing down Maxey.
- VJ Edgecombe: The 76ers' rookie served as a barometer for Philadelphia in the first round. He shot 50% from the field (including 45% from 3-point range) in the team's four wins. He shot 30.2% (and went 0-for-16 from 3-point range) in three losses to Boston.
The stage is set at Madison Square Garden
Playoff atmospheres in the Garden are always electric. And, as the stakes get higher with each round, the crowd responds in kind. Monday night, fans will have T-shirts and towels waiting for them at their seats.
Knicks vs. 76ers injury report
Both teams are coming into Game 1 of the conference semis with relatively clean injury reports. On the latest injury report, issued at 7:15 p.m. ET, the Knicks upgraded Jeremy Sochan.
New York Knicks
Jeremy Sochan (left hamstring tightness): available
Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid (right hip contusion): probable
Tyrese Maxey (right finger tendon strain): available
Knicks vs. 76ers odds
Betting lines by BetMGM as of 11:30 a.m. ET on Monday, May 4
- Spread: Knicks (-7.5)
- Moneyline: Knicks (-275); 76ers (+225)
- Over/Under: 213.5
Knicks vs. 76ers prediction
USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes offers his thoughts on how this series will play out:
This 76ers team is not only peaking at the right moment, they actually look like legitimate threats. As long as Joel Embiid is playing the way he has since returning from his appendectomy, Philadelphia will have an argument. Embiid’s size and scoring ability makes him a nightmare to defend. It also stresses Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and demands a big series from backup center Mitchell Robinson.
For as good as Philadelphia has been, however, New York has been even better. After the Knicks went down 2-1 in the first round against the Hawks, the Knicks used Towns as the anchor of their offense. OG Anunoby had a massive series, and New York’s trio of Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges make their defense versatile and tough to crack.
The pick: Knicks in 7