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The New York Knicks secured a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers with a 108-102 victory on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points, while OG Anunoby contributed 24 points, despite leaving the game late due to an undisclosed issue. Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
The 76ers, playing without their star Joel Embiid due to hip and ankle injuries, put up a strong fight compared to their Game 1 loss, which ended 137-98. The game featured 25 lead changes and 14 ties, with neither team leading by more than seven points. According to ESPN, Brunson made crucial plays in the final minutes, including a tiebreaking basket with 5:06 remaining.
The Knicks' defensive efforts were highlighted by Mikal Bridges, who scored 18 points and helped contain Tyrese Maxey, who led the 76ers with 26 points. Philadelphia's Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. also contributed significantly, scoring 19 points each.
As reported by SNY, the Knicks capitalized on the 76ers' 18 turnovers, scoring 23 points off those mistakes. The series now moves to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday (May 8) and Game 4 on Sunday (May 10), where the 76ers hope to rally with the potential return of Embiid.