The New York Knicks have successfully advanced past the Philadelphia 76ers, thanks largely to the outstanding performance of All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson. In Thursday’s Game 6, Brunson led his team to a nail-biting 118-115 victory, capping off the series with a remarkable 41-point game. This marked Brunson’s third consecutive game scoring over 40 points, and his fourth consecutive game scoring at least 37 points—a feat not achieved since Michael Jordan in 1993.
The Knicks are now set to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, following the Pacers’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks earlier on Thursday. The first game is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden on Monday at 7:30 p.m., broadcasted on TNT.
The game started off strong for the Knicks, who surged to a 22-point lead in the first quarter. However, the Sixers fought back, overtaking the Knicks by halftime. The tug-of-war continued into the fourth quarter, with the Knicks eventually securing a nine-point lead, only for the Sixers to tie the game with just 35 seconds remaining. A clutch three-pointer from Josh Hart then shifted the momentum back to the Knicks, who maintained their lead through strategic fouls and successful free throws by Donte DiVincenzo and Brunson.
Joel Embiid also shone brightly despite the loss, scoring 39 points along with 13 rebounds. However, scoreless performances from Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry left the Sixers struggling to close the gap against a more unified Knicks team. The Knicks, dealing with the absence of Bojan Bogdanovic due to injuries, relied heavily on their starting lineup. Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo, and OG Anunoby all clocked in over 43 minutes, with DiVincenzo playing the entire game.
This strategy, while risky, meant the Knicks avoided a game seven and could close out the series sooner. It was a calculated risk that ultimately paid dividends, allowing the Knicks to conserve energy for the upcoming semifinals. The series itself was fraught with drama and intensity, highlighted by a series of high-scoring games from both teams. A 50-point game from Embiid nearly changed the series dynamics, but Brunson’s consistent high performance kept the Knicks in a favorable position.
As the Knicks prepare for their next challenge against the Pacers, the team and its fans can breathe a sigh of relief and satisfaction after concluding one of the first round’s most eventful and dramatic series. With Brunson’s historical performance echoing the prowess of Michael Jordan, the excitement and expectations for the Knicks this postseason are undoubtedly high.