Knicks Dispatch 76ers with Historic Margin in Eastern Semifinals Opener

Key Takeaways:

• The New York Knicks overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 to seize Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals
• The Knicks became the first NBA team ever to secure three consecutive postseason wins by a margin of at least 25 points, building on an impressive playoff run
• Jalen Brunson led the charge by scoring 35 points, including 27 in the first half, and the Knicks shot 63% from the field

Knicks Set Postseason Benchmarks with Commanding Victory

In a commanding display at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks dismantled the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 on Monday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 35 points – 27 of which came in a superb first-half showing – as the Knicks extended what has become a historic sequence of dominant playoff performances.

New York are now the first team in NBA history to win three straight postseason contests by 25 points or more, following on from their surge midway through the first-round encounter against Atlanta. Shooting an exceptional 63% from the field and at one point enjoying a 40-point advantage, the Knicks rarely looked troubled.

In reflecting on the performance, center Karl-Anthony Towns stated, “We’re playing well, but it doesn’t mean anything if we can’t find a way to get three more wins. So, we’ve just got to stick to the task at hand.”

GAME WON. pic.twitter.com/DqvJ31LTjK

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 5, 2026

Balanced Offensive Effort Powers New York

OG Anunoby contributed 18 points, converting 7 of his 8 attempts, while Towns and Mikal Bridges chipped in with 17 points each. Towns also recorded six rebounds and six assists despite only featuring for 20 minutes.

The Knicks’ surge saw them win four consecutive games by an aggregate margin of 135 points since trailing Atlanta 2-1. According to Sportradar, no team since detailed play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97 has led three playoff games in a row by at least 30 points as New York have just accomplished.

Jalen Brunson attributed this remarkable run to heightened focus since their earlier setback: “Yes, it’s turned into obviously big wins, but those attention to detail things are going to help us in the close ones as well,” Brunson said.

76ers Falter after Gruelling Schedule

The 76ers entered this contest less than 48 hours removed from an exhausting Game 7 comeback victory in Boston, which capped only the 14th occasion a team has recovered from a 3-1 series deficit in NBA history. Fatigue appeared to play a role as Philadelphia retreated into the form that saw them suffer heavy defeats earlier in the playoffs. Paul George finished with 17 points, Joel Embiid was limited to 14 on 3-for-11 shooting, and Tyrese Maxey also struggled, not scoring his first basket until halfway through the second quarter en route to 13 points.

Head coach Nick Nurse commented, “They were obviously picking us apart, moving a lot better than we were.”

The Knicks, in contrast, coasted through their first-round series, culminating in a 140-89 rout of Atlanta in Game 6, where they set a postseason record with a 47-point halftime lead. Echoes of that dominance recurred on Monday night, as the hosts repeatedly exposed Philadelphia’s defensive frailties.

Game Progression and Statistical Highlights

Midway through the second quarter, an 8-0 Knicks run pushed their lead from 10 to 18 points at 57-39. Brunson then scored New York’s final 11 points of the half, including a three-pointer with just 0.3 seconds left, sending the Knicks to the interval ahead 74-51. Towns’ three-pointer five minutes into the third quarter extended the advantage to 90-60, after which reserves took over for much of the action. Brunson played only 31 minutes, a factor which possibly prevented him from reaching the 40-point mark for a fourth straight playoff game against the 76ers.

Brunson posted an average of 35.5 points per game across the first-round series against the 76ers, closing that series with three consecutive 40-point outings, including a Knicks postseason record 47 in Game 4. Philadelphia, meanwhile, are still searching for answers on how to slow the influential guard.

Up Next

Game 2 is set for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden before the series transitions to Philadelphia. 76ers star Joel Embiid has already called upon home supporters not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans for the upcoming fixtures.