The New York Knicks won Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers in a thrilling 104-101 victory. The game was decided by a wild sequence with about 41 seconds left, where a scramble for the ball led to a crucial 3-pointer by Jalen Brunson. Donte DiVincenzo also made a key shot after an offensive rebound, leading Madison Square Garden to erupt in celebration. Josh Hart had a strong performance with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Brunson and DiVincenzo added 24 and 19 points respectively. This win marked the fourth time since the 1996-97 season that a team won a playoff game after trailing by at least five points in the last 30 seconds.
The Associated Press highlighted the significance of the Knicks’ win, noting that such comebacks are rare in the NBA playoffs. Other memorable instances include the Miami Heat’s win over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors’ overtime victory against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2015, and Kobe Bryant’s game-winner for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Phoenix Suns in 2006. Despite the impressive performances from the Knicks, the 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid put up strong numbers, with Maxey recording 35 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds while battling illness, and Embiid contributing 34 points and 10 rebounds.
After the game, Joel Embiid expressed confidence that the 76ers would bounce back in the series, despite the Game 2 loss. He stated, “We’re going to win this series. We know what we’ve got to fix, and we did a better job today, so we’re going to fix it. But we’re the better team, and we’re going to keep fighting.” The series between the Knicks and the 76ers will continue with Game 3 set for Thursday in Philadelphia. Knicks guard Josh Hart reflected on the intense final moments of Game 2 and credited the team’s aggressive mentality for the victory. He commented, “It was crazy, it was hectic, but at that point we had nothing to lose. Got to get as physical as we can and it panned out.”
The win for the Knicks in Game 2 showcased their resilience and ability to capitalize on critical moments under pressure. The team’s balanced scoring with contributions from Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo, combined with their determined defense in the final moments, proved to be decisive in securing the victory. The 76ers, led by Maxey and Embiid, fought valiantly despite the loss and vowed to make adjustments heading into Game 3. With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams will look to build on their performances and make further adjustments as they battle for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. Fans can expect more intense and competitive matchups as the Knicks and 76ers continue their playoff series.
