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may 07 2026NEW YORK. The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 and take a 2-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs. Jalen Brunson led the New York squad once again with 26 points in a much more balanced matchup than the first game of the series, decided in the final minutes after an intense back-and-forth battle.
After the dominant blowout in Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers showed a much more competitive version despite still being without Joel Embiid, sidelined with hip and right ankle soreness. The game was a true tactical and emotional battle, with 25 lead changes and 14 ties, the highest number in an NBA playoff game in the last eleven years.
The opening made it clear that the matchup would be completely different from the previous one. Tyrese Maxey came out aggressive from the first minute and continued to make a difference in transition and one-on-one situations. Philadelphia's point guard scored 15 points in the second quarter and finished the first half with 19, continuously punishing the New York Knicks' perimeter defense.
However, the Knicks responded through team play. Karl-Anthony Towns provided offensive balance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while OG Anunoby was once again crucial on both ends of the floor and finished with 24 points before leaving the game late to head to the locker room.
Neither team managed to pull away on the scoreboard. Philadelphia found secondary scoring in Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., both with 19 points, plus 17 from VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers even took their last significant lead at 96-99 after a three-pointer by Oubre with less than seven minutes remaining.
That's when Jalen Brunson's competitive character emerged. The Knicks' point guard once again assumed all offensive responsibility in the hot stretch of the game. First, he responded with a crucial three-pointer from Josh Hart, who had raised physical concerns after injuring his left hand or wrist in the third quarter. Then, Brunson began to punish Philadelphia's defensive switches with his usual mid-range shots.
New York's leader hit the go-ahead basket with 5:06 remaining and subsequently added another shot to put it at 103-99 with 3:45 left. Shortly after, Mikal Bridges extended the lead to six points with another crucial play, finishing with 18 points and excellent defensive work on Tyrese Maxey throughout the second half.
The Philadelphia 76ers still had opportunities in the final stretch, but Nick Nurse's team couldn't find success from beyond the arc on the last decisive possessions. The Sixers, who already had to come back from 3-1 against the Boston Celtics in the first round, now find themselves against the ropes again in these NBA playoffs.
The New York Knicks, meanwhile, continue to show enormous competitive strength in this postseason. After becoming the first team to win three consecutive playoff games by at least 25 points after Game 1, the New York squad knew how to survive in a completely different scenario, much more balanced and physical.
The series now travels to Philadelphia for Game 3 and Game 4, where the big question will continue to be Joel Embiid's physical status. Meanwhile, the Knicks return to Pennsylvania with a 2-0 advantage and the feeling of having struck with authority in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
