Knicks vs 76ers Match Player Stats

The knicks vs 76ers match player stats from the 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2 tell a much more interesting story than the 108-102 final score alone. The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden in a tightly contested game that featured 25 lead changes, 14 ties, and a decisive late run by New York.

For readers checking the box score, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey both finished with 26 points. OG Anunoby added 24 for New York, while Karl-Anthony Towns produced 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Philadelphia received 19 points each from Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., along with 17 from VJ Edgecombe.

The game was officially played on May 6, 2026, in New York, although the contest appeared as May 7 for viewers in some international time zones. The Knicks moved ahead 2-0 in the series with the victory.

Table of Contents

Knicks vs 76ers match player stats at a glance

The headline numbers immediately show why this game was so competitive.

Category	Philadelphia 76ers	New York Knicks
Final Score	102	108
Field Goals	34-75	40-79
Field Goal Percentage	45.3%	50.6%
Three-Pointers	13-34	7-26
Three-Point Percentage	38.2%	26.9%
Free Throws	21-28	21-25
Free Throw Percentage	75.0%	84.0%
Rebounds	39	37
Assists	20	25
Turnovers	18	13
Steals	8	10
Blocks	6	2
Points in the Paint	30	56
Fast-Break Points	8	15

The most important contrast is not three-point shooting. Philadelphia actually made more threes and converted them at a much better rate.

The difference came from New York’s superior overall field-goal efficiency, stronger interior scoring, better ball security, and greater offensive creation through assists.

The official NBA box score provides the complete statistical record for the game.

What the final score really says

A six-point margin can sometimes hide how close a playoff game was. That is exactly what happened here.

Philadelphia led after the first quarter, 33-31. New York responded by winning the second quarter 30-29, leaving the Knicks behind 62-61 at halftime. The third quarter was tied at 28-28, meaning Philadelphia entered the final period with a 90-89 advantage.

Then the game changed.

New York scored 19 points in the fourth quarter while Philadelphia managed only 12. That seven-point fourth-quarter difference was enough to turn a one-point deficit into a six-point victory.

The late sequence mattered because neither team had been able to create meaningful separation for most of the night. The game featured 25 lead changes, and the largest lead for either side was only seven points.

New York eventually produced a 9-0 run that created the separation it needed.

That makes the fourth quarter more important than simply looking at the final scoring totals. Philadelphia had competed well for three quarters, but New York executed better when the game became a possession-by-possession contest.

Jalen Brunson’s 26-point performance

Jalen Brunson finished with:

26 points
9-of-21 field goals
1-of-5 three-pointers
7-of-8 free throws
1 rebound
6 assists
3 turnovers
1 steal

Brunson did not dominate the game through three-point shooting. Instead, his value came from shot creation, control of the offense, and his ability to make important plays late.

His 9-of-21 shooting works out to 42.9 percent from the field. That is not an extraordinary shooting percentage, but playoff production cannot be judged from field-goal percentage alone.

Brunson reached the free-throw line eight times and made seven. He also generated six assists while handling a large share of New York’s offensive responsibility.

The most important part of his performance was timing.

When the game remained close in the fourth quarter, Brunson converted important opportunities and helped New York finish the game. His 26 points also tied Maxey for the highest scoring total by either team.

This is a useful reminder when evaluating player stats: the highest-impact performance is not always the player with the best shooting percentage. Context matters.

OG Anunoby was one of New York’s most complete players

OG Anunoby produced one of the strongest all-around performances of the night:

24 points
9-of-17 field goals
2-of-7 three-pointers
4-of-4 free throws
5 rebounds
2 assists
4 steals
1 block

Anunoby shot 52.9 percent from the field and combined efficient scoring with major defensive activity.

His four steals stand out.

Steals do not tell the entire story of defensive impact, but four takeaways in a playoff game can create valuable extra possessions. Anunoby also added a block, making his defensive contribution visible in the traditional box score.

His 24 points were especially valuable because Philadelphia had to account for Brunson while also dealing with Towns inside and Bridges on the perimeter.

That balance made it difficult for Philadelphia to concentrate all of its defensive attention on one scorer.

Karl-Anthony Towns filled multiple roles

Karl-Anthony Towns finished with:

20 points
6-of-8 field goals
1-of-1 from three-point range
7-of-9 free throws
10 rebounds
7 assists
1 steal

Towns was arguably the most efficient high-volume offensive player for New York.

He made six of eight field-goal attempts, good for 75 percent shooting, while also contributing ten rebounds and seven assists.

The seven assists are particularly important.

A traditional box score may classify Towns as a center or big man, but his seven assists show that New York was not using him simply as a finisher around the basket. He contributed to the team’s passing structure and helped move the ball against Philadelphia’s defense.

His combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking helped New York finish with 25 assists compared with Philadelphia’s 20.

That five-assist advantage was meaningful in a game decided by only six points.

Mikal Bridges provided efficient scoring

Mikal Bridges scored 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

That translates to 69.2 percent shooting from the field.

He also recorded:

5 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal
1 block

Bridges did not need a high number of attempts to contribute offensively. His 13 shots produced 18 points, making him one of New York’s most efficient scorers.

His defensive role was also important because Philadelphia’s primary scoring threat was Tyrese Maxey.

The Knicks needed multiple defenders capable of staying attached to Maxey, and Bridges was part of that defensive effort.

Josh Hart’s box score does not tell the whole story

Josh Hart finished with:

5 points
2-of-6 shooting
1-of-5 from three-point range
7 rebounds
6 assists
3 steals

His scoring output was modest, but his other numbers were valuable.

Seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals represent substantial production outside of scoring.

Hart also hit a crucial three-pointer during the fourth-quarter swing after Philadelphia had moved ahead 99-96.

That shot helped stop Philadelphia’s momentum and contributed to New York’s late response.

His performance is a good example of why evaluating only points can produce a misleading conclusion about a player’s contribution.

Philadelphia 76ers player statistics

Philadelphia’s offense was led by Tyrese Maxey, but the team received meaningful scoring from several players.

Tyrese Maxey

Maxey finished with:

26 points
9-of-23 field goals
1-of-6 three-pointers
7-of-9 free throws
3 rebounds
6 assists
6 turnovers
1 steal

Maxey’s 26 points tied Brunson for the game high.

He was especially effective early in the contest. His 15 points in the second quarter helped Philadelphia maintain control during a stretch when the game could have begun shifting toward New York.

However, the six turnovers are a major part of his statistical profile from this game.

Maxey carried a heavy offensive burden and played 46 minutes and 48 seconds. That workload helps explain why Philadelphia depended on him so heavily, but turnovers became costly because New York was able to convert mistakes into additional opportunities.

Maxey shot only 39.1 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range.

His free-throw shooting was much stronger at 77.8 percent.

The lesson is not that Maxey played poorly. He was Philadelphia’s leading scorer and created six assists. The more accurate conclusion is that he produced strong volume scoring but had an inefficient shooting night and gave away too many possessions.

Paul George

Paul George recorded:

19 points
7-of-18 field goals
5-of-13 three-pointers
6 rebounds
4 assists
2 steals
2 blocks

George’s five made three-pointers were important because Philadelphia needed perimeter scoring to compensate for its lower interior production.

He shot 38.9 percent overall but 38.5 percent from three.

His all-around contribution also included four assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

However, he did not attempt a free throw, which limited his ability to generate additional efficient scoring opportunities.

George was also on the floor for nearly 43 minutes, showing how heavily Philadelphia relied on its experienced players.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre produced one of Philadelphia’s most efficient offensive games.

He finished with:

19 points
6-of-12 field goals
3-of-6 three-pointers
4-of-4 free throws
5 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal

His 50 percent field-goal shooting and perfect free-throw shooting made him a dependable offensive contributor.

Oubre’s three made three-pointers also helped Philadelphia maintain spacing.

The issue was that Philadelphia needed more consistent production from multiple areas because New York was winning the interior battle.

VJ Edgecombe

VJ Edgecombe contributed:

17 points
6-of-13 field goals
3-of-7 three-pointers
2-of-4 free throws
5 rebounds
3 assists
1 steal

Edgecombe’s 17 points were important because they reduced the scoring burden on Maxey and George.

His three made three-pointers also helped Philadelphia win the perimeter shooting battle.

However, New York’s defense became more effective against Maxey and Philadelphia’s offense slowed dramatically in the fourth quarter.

Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond played only 14 minutes and 40 seconds but made an efficient contribution.

He recorded:

6 points
2-of-2 field goals
2-of-2 free throws
8 rebounds
1 assist
1 steal
2 offensive rebounds

Drummond’s eight rebounds were particularly valuable considering his limited playing time.

His two offensive rebounds also gave Philadelphia extra possessions.

His numbers show why rebounding statistics should be viewed alongside minutes played. Six points and eight rebounds in fewer than 15 minutes represents a productive stint, even though his overall impact was naturally limited by playing time.

Philadelphia’s bench contributed, but New York controlled the efficiency battle

Dominick Barlow scored six points without missing a field-goal attempt, going 3-of-3 from the floor.

Quentin Grimes scored seven points, made one three-pointer, and went 4-of-4 at the free-throw line.

Adem Bona had seven rebounds and two blocks while contributing two points.

These contributions mattered, but Philadelphia needed greater offensive consistency late.

The team’s 18 turnovers were another issue.

Against a team that scored 56 points in the paint and generated 15 fast-break points, every lost possession carried additional weight.

The biggest statistical difference was inside the paint

The most revealing team statistic may be points in the paint.

Philadelphia scored 30 points in the paint.

New York scored 56.

That is a 26-point difference.

It is striking because Philadelphia actually shot better from three-point range.

The 76ers made 13 of 34 three-point attempts, compared with New York’s seven of 26.

Philadelphia therefore won the three-point category by six made shots.

But New York dominated the interior.

This explains how the Knicks could win despite making six fewer three-pointers.

New York’s overall field-goal percentage was 50.6 percent compared with Philadelphia’s 45.3 percent. The Knicks also made 40 field goals while the 76ers made 34.

That six-field-goal advantage was larger than the difference in made three-pointers.

The broader lesson is that shooting efficiency must be evaluated across the entire shot profile. A team can lose the three-point battle and still win comfortably enough if it consistently generates efficient shots elsewhere.

Turnovers gave New York another advantage

Philadelphia committed 18 turnovers.

New York committed 13.

That five-turnover difference created additional opportunities for the Knicks.

New York also recorded ten steals compared with Philadelphia’s eight.

The relationship between turnovers and steals is important. New York was not merely avoiding mistakes. The Knicks were also creating defensive events that ended Philadelphia possessions.

Philadelphia’s 18 turnovers represented nearly 19 percent of its 96 possessions if estimated from the box-score totals using standard possession calculations. That is a substantial amount of lost offensive opportunity in a close playoff game.

Maxey alone accounted for six Philadelphia turnovers.

Again, that does not mean the turnovers were solely his fault. He was Philadelphia’s primary creator and played almost 47 minutes. High usage naturally creates more opportunities for both assists and turnovers.

Still, in a six-point playoff loss, six turnovers from the lead ball-handler deserve attention.

New York won the free-throw efficiency battle

Both teams attempted 28 or more free throws.

Philadelphia went 21-of-28 for 75 percent.

New York went 21-of-25 for 84 percent.

The difference was not enormous in raw points because both teams made 21 free throws.

The efficiency difference mattered more as part of the broader offensive picture.

New York left only four points at the free-throw line.

Philadelphia left seven.

In a game decided by six points, those missed opportunities are relevant.

However, it would be incorrect to say free throws alone decided the contest. The larger statistical differences were field-goal efficiency, points in the paint, assists, turnovers, and fourth-quarter scoring.

Why New York’s 51 percent shooting mattered

The Knicks made 40 of 79 field-goal attempts.

That is 50.6 percent shooting.

Philadelphia made 34 of 75.

That is 45.3 percent.

The Knicks therefore had a five-percentage-point advantage in overall field-goal accuracy.

At the same time, Philadelphia was significantly more accurate from three-point range.

This creates an interesting contrast.

Philadelphia’s offense was more efficient from long distance, but New York was more efficient overall because it generated a much stronger interior attack.

The Knicks also attempted four more field goals.

So New York combined better accuracy with slightly greater shot volume.

That is a powerful combination.

New York’s 25 assists reveal a different offensive structure

New York recorded 25 assists on 40 made field goals.

That means a large portion of its successful shots came through assisted offense.

Karl-Anthony Towns had seven assists.

Jalen Brunson had six.

Josh Hart had six.

Those three players alone combined for 19 assists.

That is one of the most important numbers in the game.

It shows that New York was not relying solely on individual isolation scoring. Multiple players were making plays for teammates.

Philadelphia had 20 assists, led by Maxey’s six and George’s four.

The Knicks therefore had a five-assist advantage while also committing five fewer turnovers.

That combination points toward better offensive organization.

The fourth quarter decided the game

The first three quarters were remarkably balanced.

Philadelphia entered halftime ahead 62-61.

After three quarters, the 76ers still led 90-89.

Then Philadelphia scored only 12 points in the fourth quarter.

New York scored 19.

The seven-point difference in the final period directly converted a one-point deficit into a six-point victory.

This is where player performance and team performance intersect.

Brunson made important plays.

Hart hit a critical three.

New York’s defense improved its ability to contain Maxey.

The Knicks also finished possessions more effectively.

Philadelphia had chances to extend its advantage but could not maintain its offensive rhythm.

In a playoff environment, late-game execution often determines whether a close game becomes a win or a loss. This game provided a clear statistical example.

The Maxey versus Brunson comparison

The two primary guards both scored 26 points, but they reached that total differently.

Statistic	Jalen Brunson	Tyrese Maxey
Points	26	26
FG	9-21	9-23
FG%	42.9%	39.1%
3PT	1-5	1-6
FT	7-8	7-9
Rebounds	1	3
Assists	6	6
Turnovers	3	6
Steals	1	1

Brunson had the advantage in field-goal efficiency and turnovers.

Both players had six assists and one steal.

Maxey contributed two more rebounds.

The most meaningful difference was ball security.

Brunson turned the ball over three times.

Maxey turned it over six times.

Because both players had identical scoring and assist totals, the turnover difference becomes especially noticeable when evaluating their overall impact.

Anunoby versus Philadelphia’s perimeter defenders

Anunoby’s 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting gave New York a second high-level scoring option alongside Brunson.

His 52.9 percent shooting was significantly better than George’s 38.9 percent and Maxey’s 39.1 percent.

More importantly, Anunoby contributed four steals and one block.

That two-way production helped New York maintain pressure on Philadelphia’s ball-handlers while still getting efficient scoring.

Philadelphia needed more defensive resistance from its perimeter group once the Knicks began attacking efficiently inside and around the basket.

Towns’ 20-10-7 line deserves special attention

A 20-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist performance is rare enough to stand out by itself.

What makes Towns’ line more meaningful is his efficiency.

He shot 6-of-8 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.

He also made his only three-point attempt.

So Towns was not simply accumulating statistics through volume.

He was highly efficient while contributing across multiple categories.

His seven assists also helped New York avoid becoming overly dependent on Brunson’s individual creation.

That balance is one reason the Knicks were able to maintain offensive production even when Philadelphia focused attention on Brunson.

What Philadelphia did well

Despite losing, Philadelphia had several statistical positives.

First, the 76ers shot 38.2 percent from three.

That was considerably better than New York’s 26.9 percent.

Second, Philadelphia scored 102 points despite the fourth-quarter collapse.

Third, Maxey returned to a 26-point performance after scoring only 13 points in Game 1.

Fourth, George and Oubre each added 19 points.

Fifth, Philadelphia won the rebounding battle 39-37.

Sixth, the 76ers blocked six shots compared with two for New York.

These numbers show that the loss was not the result of Philadelphia being dominated in every category.

The problem was that the categories New York won were more directly connected to offensive efficiency and possession quality.

What New York did best

The Knicks’ biggest advantages were clear:

Better overall field-goal percentage
Six more made field goals
Twenty-six more points in the paint
Five more assists
Five fewer turnovers
Seven more fourth-quarter points
Fifteen fast-break points compared with eight
Stronger free-throw accuracy

The Knicks also had three players score at least 20 points.

Brunson scored 26.

Anunoby scored 24.

Towns scored 20.

That balanced scoring profile made the defense harder to manipulate.

The role of bench and rotation players

Box-score analysis often focuses on stars, but playoff games can be influenced by rotation players.

For New York, Jordan Clarkson scored six points and grabbed five rebounds.

Jose Alvarado added three points and one assist.

Miles McBride scored four points, along with one rebound and one assist.

Landry Shamet did not score but finished with a plus-six rating.

These numbers are not spectacular individually.

Their value comes from keeping the rotation functional while the main players handled larger offensive roles.

Philadelphia’s reserve group also had moments.

Barlow went 3-of-3 from the field.

Bona grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Grimes made four of four free throws.

The issue was consistency across the full game.

Players who did not play

Several players were listed as inactive or did not enter the game.

For Philadelphia, the listed DNP players included Jabari Walker, Dalen Terry, Johni Broome, Justin Edwards, Kyle Lowry, and Trendon Watford.

For New York, the listed DNP players included Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, Mitchell Robinson, and Tyler Kolek.

These players should not be treated as statistical contributors to the game because they did not record playing time.

This distinction is important when comparing a complete roster list with the actual box score.

The importance of Joel Embiid’s absence

Philadelphia’s lineup context also matters.

Joel Embiid was ruled out because of right hip and ankle injuries after experiencing soreness and being unable to complete the morning shootaround.

His absence changed Philadelphia’s offensive and defensive options.

Without Embiid, the 76ers relied more heavily on Maxey, George, Oubre, Edgecombe, and their available centers.

That helps explain why Philadelphia attempted 34 three-pointers and why New York was able to establish such a large advantage in points in the paint.

The absence should not be used as an excuse that erases the Knicks’ performance.

New York still had to execute against the lineup Philadelphia put on the court, and it did so effectively in the final period.

Why the 56-30 paint scoring gap matters

The 56-30 advantage in points in the paint is perhaps the cleanest summary of New York’s offensive approach.

The Knicks did not need to win the three-point contest.

They won by producing a much more balanced scoring attack.

New York’s 56 interior points represented more than half of its total scoring.

That made the Knicks less dependent on outside shooting variance.

Philadelphia made 13 threes.

New York made seven.

If the game had been decided primarily by three-point volume, Philadelphia should have had an advantage.

Instead, New York consistently found higher-value opportunities closer to the basket and finished them efficiently.

That is why the final score should not be interpreted simply as a shooting contest.

A possession-by-possession interpretation

One useful way to understand the game is to think about possessions rather than only points.

Philadelphia had 18 turnovers.

New York had 13.

New York also recorded 10 steals.

That combination suggests the Knicks created additional transition opportunities while limiting wasted possessions on their own side.

New York scored 15 fast-break points.

Philadelphia scored only eight.

The Knicks therefore gained seven points in transition while also winning the half-court interior battle.

This is how a team can overcome inferior three-point shooting.

It does not need to win every statistical category. It needs to win the categories that produce enough efficient scoring opportunities to offset weaknesses elsewhere.

A closer look at efficiency

New York’s offensive profile can be summarized as efficient shooting plus strong possession management.

The Knicks:

Shot 50.6 percent overall
Made 40 field goals
Scored 56 points in the paint
Made 21 free throws
Recorded 25 assists
Committed 13 turnovers

Philadelphia:

Shot 45.3 percent overall
Made 34 field goals
Scored 30 points in the paint
Made 21 free throws
Recorded 20 assists
Committed 18 turnovers

The comparison is revealing.

Both teams made exactly 21 free throws.

Philadelphia had the superior three-point shooting.

Philadelphia also had two more rebounds.

Yet New York still won by six.

That tells us that field-goal efficiency, interior scoring, passing, and turnovers outweighed Philadelphia’s advantages in long-range shooting and rebounding.

What the game means for evaluating player statistics

The biggest lesson from this matchup is that a box score should be read as a connected system.

A player scoring 20 points is not automatically more valuable than a player scoring 15.

A player with 10 rebounds is not automatically more impactful than a player with seven assists.

And a player shooting 50 percent is not automatically more efficient than another player shooting 45 percent without considering shot volume and free throws.

The useful analysis comes from connecting the numbers.

Brunson’s 26 points mattered because he created offense late.

Towns’ seven assists mattered because they helped distribute the offense.

Anunoby’s four steals mattered because defensive plays generated extra opportunities.

Hart’s six assists and three steals mattered despite his five-point scoring total.

Maxey’s 26 points mattered because Philadelphia needed his scoring, but his six turnovers also became significant in a close game.

This is why serious player-stat analysis goes beyond listing points and rebounds.

Key takeaways from the matchup

Several conclusions stand out from the complete statistical picture.

1. New York won through overall efficiency

The Knicks shot more accurately from the field despite making fewer three-pointers.

2. The interior was the biggest battleground

New York scored 56 points in the paint, 26 more than Philadelphia.

3. Brunson and Maxey matched each other in scoring

Both finished with 26 points, but Brunson committed three fewer turnovers.

4. Towns was extremely efficient

He scored 20 points on only eight field-goal attempts and added ten rebounds and seven assists.

5. Anunoby provided two-way production

His 24 points were accompanied by four steals and a block.

6. Philadelphia’s perimeter shooting was strong

The 76ers made 13 three-pointers at a 38.2 percent rate.

7. The fourth quarter decided the result

Philadelphia led 90-89 after three periods but scored only 12 points in the fourth.

8. Ball security favored New York

The Knicks committed 13 turnovers compared with 18 for Philadelphia.

9. New York’s passing was more productive

The Knicks recorded 25 assists against Philadelphia’s 20.

10. The final score does not show how competitive the game was

The contest featured 25 lead changes and 14 ties before New York finally created separation late.

What to watch when analyzing future Knicks and 76ers games

When evaluating future meetings between these teams, several statistical categories deserve priority.

First, watch the battle between interior scoring and three-point shooting.

Philadelphia’s ability to generate efficient perimeter offense can change the shape of the game quickly.

Second, monitor turnovers.

A team with high-volume creators such as Brunson or Maxey can tolerate some turnovers because those players create so much offense. But excessive giveaways become particularly damaging against a team that can score efficiently in transition.

Third, watch the Towns matchup.

His ability to score efficiently while also facilitating from the frontcourt creates a difficult defensive problem.

Fourth, monitor Anunoby’s defensive role.

His ability to guard strong perimeter scorers while contributing offensively gives New York lineup flexibility.

Finally, look at fourth-quarter execution.

Game 2 demonstrated that three quarters of balanced basketball can be overturned by a few possessions of superior execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the top scorer in Knicks vs 76ers Game 2?

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey were the joint top scorers, with each player finishing with 26 points.

How many points did Jalen Brunson score?

Jalen Brunson scored 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting. He also recorded six assists, one rebound, one steal, and three turnovers.

How many points did Tyrese Maxey score?

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points on 9-of-23 shooting. He added six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and six turnovers.

Who led the Knicks in rebounds?

Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 10 rebounds. He also scored 20 points and recorded seven assists.

Who led the 76ers in rebounds?

Andre Drummond led Philadelphia with eight rebounds. Adem Bona also made a strong rebounding contribution with seven boards.

Why did the Knicks win despite making fewer three-pointers?

New York compensated by shooting 50.6 percent overall, scoring 56 points in the paint, recording 25 assists, and committing only 13 turnovers. Philadelphia made more three-pointers but struggled to match New York’s interior efficiency and late-game execution.

Conclusion

The knicks vs 76ers match player stats from Game 2 show a contest that was decided by much more than the final 108-102 score.

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey both reached 26 points, but their supporting numbers reveal different stories. Brunson paired his scoring with six assists and three turnovers, while Maxey also had six assists but committed six turnovers.

OG Anunoby delivered 24 points with four steals, while Karl-Anthony Towns produced one of the most complete performances of the night with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Mikal Bridges added 18 points on highly efficient shooting, and Josh Hart contributed across multiple categories despite scoring only five points.

For Philadelphia, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 19, while VJ Edgecombe added 17. The 76ers shot 38.2 percent from three, won the rebounding battle, and stayed competitive for three quarters.

The deciding factors were New York’s 50.6 percent field-goal shooting, 56 points in the paint, 25 assists, 13 turnovers, and superior fourth-quarter execution.

The Knicks entered the final period trailing 90-89 but outscored Philadelphia 19-12 to secure the six-point victory. That final quarter transformed an extremely close game into a 2-0 series advantage.

For anyone studying the box score, the most important takeaway is simple: the Knicks did not win because they shot better from three. They won because they were more efficient overall, attacked the interior more effectively, moved the ball better, protected possessions, and executed when the game reached its most important moments.