The 76ers were defeated 111-104 by the Knicks in the opening postseason game. As backup stars, Hart and Brunson each scored 22 points.
Philadelphia – On Saturday night, the Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-104 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart both scored 22 points, while Dwayne McBride led New York’s bench team with 21 points.
With 13 points in the second quarter, McBride helped the Knicks overtake the 76ers. Joel Embiid was forced to leave the game when he hurt his previously operated-up left knee during a dunk. After his comeback, he assisted the 76ers in gaining the lead in the second half; but, Josh Hart’s clutch 3-pointers in the last quarter allowed the Knicks to win.
For the Knicks, who have lost the first game of their previous three home series, Hart also pulled down 13 rebounds. On Monday, they will host Game 2.
Embiid finished with eight rebounds, six assists, and 29 points. With 33 points, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers.
After recovering from knee surgery, former Knicks starter Mitchell Robinson has been a reserve. He led the team’s offensive effort against Embiid with eight points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. Bogdanovic scored 13 points off the bench.
Embiid only played in 39 games this season and missed over two months of action following surgery on his meniscus on February 6. Even though he is physically limited and isn’t the same reliable player he was before his injury, he still helped the 76 players defeat Miami in the play-in game to secure the No. 7 seed.
Embiid was listed by the 76ers as questionable to play, but head coach Nick Nurse stated that the big man would warm up before the game and the club would decide if he would play or not.
While he was there, he played well, but the Knicks’ roster balance was superior as they went 54-28 and won 50 games for the first time since they were a team in 2012–13.
Having became an All-Star for the first time and finishing fourth in the league in scoring, Brunson was a major contributor to this. Out of 26 shots, he only scored 8 with yells of “MVP! MVP!” The audience chanted “Deuce!” during a boisterous pregame at Madison Square Garden instead of the original phrases. Real name Miles, the second-round selection, contributed to the Knicks’ 33-12 victory over the 76ers.
Embiid exited with 2:49 left after his dunk increased the score 49–46. The Knicks lead 58-46 at the half after scoring the final nine points of the quarter.
However, Embiid came back to begin the second half, and the 76ers swiftly won the game. After making a 3-pointer to level the game at 69 and take a 23-11 lead coming out of the locker room, Philadelphia went on to upset the Knicks 32-14, gaining a 78-72 lead and clinching third place.
The Knicks regained their lead in the fourth quarter thanks to baskets from Bogdanovic, Robinson, and McBride, and Hart assisted them in holding onto it.
View the complete schedule here:
– Game 2: 7:30 PM on April 22, Knicks vs. 76ers
– Game 3: 7:30 PM, April 25, Knicks vs. 76ers
– Game 4: 76ers against. Knicks | April 28, 1:00 PM
– Game 5: Knicks vs. 76ers on April 30 (if needed)
– Game 6: If needed, Game 6: Knicks against. 76ers | 5/2
– Game 7: Knicks vs. 76ers | 5/4 TBD (if needed)
