NEW YORK, NY — In another playoff battle that came down to the final minutes, the New York Knicks leaned on their late game composure, defensive intensity, and timely execution late to secure a 108-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, taking a 2-0 series lead.
Despite trailing after each of the first three quarters, the Knicks once again proved why they have been NBA’s best fourth-quarter team during the regular season, locking in defensively and capitalizing on Philadelphia’s offensive struggles down the stretch.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 26 points and six assists, while OG Anunoby delivered another standout two-way performance with 24 points and key defensive plays. Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, though the Dominican-American’s impact was limited throughout the night due to persistent foul trouble.
Philadelphia controlled much of the early action, fueled by a scorching start from Paul George, who scored 11 of the team’s first 13 points. Tyrese Maxey later took over offensively, finishing with 26 points, but also committed six turnovers as New York’s defensive pressure intensified late.
The Knicks struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting just 26.9 percent from three-point range, yet remained within striking distance throughout the night, thanks to their defense and ability to generate points off turnovers. New York converted 23 points off 18 Philadelphia turnovers—a decisive factor in the outcome.
Game 2 was heavily influenced by foul trouble, particularly for the Knicks’ frontcourt. Towns picked up his third foul less than a minute into the second quarter and later added a fourth in the third, forcing head coach Mike Brown to rely on smaller lineups for extended stretches at times.
Still, New York responded with resilience. A late second-quarter push, highlighted by Josh Hart’s energy in transition, helped the Knicks trim the deficit to just one point at halftime.
From there, the game evolved into a back-and-forth battle featuring 25 different lead changes.
In the fourth quarter, the Knicks’ defense ultimately made the difference. Philadelphia shot just 1-for-9 to open the period, while Mikal Bridges and Hart led a series of key stops and transition opportunities.
Bridges’ mid-range and a 9-0 Knicks run created the separation New York needed to close out the game.
“We found a way to execute, we found a way to get the stops,” said Towns postgame. “On offense, big shoutout to Mikal and Jalen.”
Brown pointed out the team’s discipline as a deciding factor, particularly after a whistle-heavy first half, stating, “Just staying disciplined—those are the details I’m talking about that we have to pay attention to.”
The Knicks have been firing on all cylinders since their Game 3 loss to Atlanta in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, winning five straight since (three vs. Hawks and two vs. 76ers) – Image Credit: NBA
The Knicks having the ability to withstand whatever adversity is thrown at them—from poor shooting to foul trouble—underscored their growth and versatility. Brown’s free-flowing offensive system has allowed multiple players to contribute, even on a night when Brunson started slow.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia showed flashes of effectiveness without Joel Embiid, particularly with its spacing and perimeter shooting, but struggled to sustain that success late.
“I thought we just might’ve run out of gas a little bit in the fourth,” George said. “We just didn’t make shots.”
Now, the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday, with the 76ers facing mounting pressure and uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s status. For the Knicks, New York is now just 10 wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973 and two from going back to the ECF Finals for a second consecutive year, all while increasingly looking like a team built for the moment.
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