Key Takeaways:
- Jalen Brunson powered the Knicks with 26 points to secure a 108-102 win over the 76ers
- The matchup featured 25 lead changes – the most in an NBA playoff game in 11 years
- The series will move to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday
Game Overview
At Madison Square Garden, Jalen Brunson emerged as the driving force for the New York Knicks in a tightly contested encounter, delivering 26 points to propel his side to a 108-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. This win handed New York a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.
After a comprehensive loss in Game 1 that ended 137-98 in the Knicks’ favour, Philadelphia responded with a spirited challenge, despite the absence of Joel Embiid due to right hip and ankle injuries. The game was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 25 lead changes and 14 ties, with neither side ever building a lead larger than seven points.
PROTECT THE GARDEN pic.twitter.com/PR5D7yzHpT
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 7, 2026
Key Moments and Player Performances
Brunson’s composure was pivotal in the clutch, scoring the tiebreaking basket with 5:06 left before adding a key jumper to put the Knicks up 103-99 at the 3:45 mark. His efforts were complemented by OG Anunoby, who recorded 24 points before leaving for the locker room late in the game and did not return to the bench. Knicks coach Mike Brown did not provide an update on Anunoby’s condition post-match.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a robust all-around performance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. New York’s previous Game 1 win marked their third consecutive postseason victory by at least 25 points.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey rebounded from a quiet Game 1 by producing 26 points, including 15 in the second quarter and totaling 19 in the first half alone. The 76ers also received 19 points apiece from Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., with VJ Edgecombe chipping in 17. Philadelphia briefly held a 99-96 lead following a three-pointer from Oubre, but Josh Hart answered soon after with a three of his own with 6:52 remaining, helping the Knicks regain control.
Statistical Insights
| Team | Leading Scorer | Points | Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | Jalen Brunson | 26 | Karl-Anthony Towns: 20 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast OG Anunoby: 24 pts |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Tyrese Maxey | 26 | Paul George: 19 pts Kelly Oubre Jr.: 19 pts VJ Edgecombe: 17 pts |
Series Implications and Upcoming Fixtures
The playoff duel now shifts to Philadelphia, where Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for Friday and Sunday, respectively. The 76ers, who recently managed a Game 2 win in Boston without Embiid, are waiting to see if their talisman is cleared to play amid injury concerns. Embiid was declared unavailable after experiencing soreness and missing the team’s morning shootaround.
Wednesday night’s contest was notable for its competitiveness and dramatic swings, as highlighted by the 25 lead changes – the highest since the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers combined for 31 on 2 May 2015. The 76ers were left ruing missed opportunities late on, as outlined by coach Nick Nurse: “I thought we had maybe four wide-open shots in a row that didn’t go. We just needed to keep the scoreboard moving and we played great offense. We just didn’t shot-make.”
With the series poised to intensify, all eyes now shift to Philadelphia as both teams look to seize momentum moving forward.
