Knicks Game Night (Series Preview): 2026 NBA Playoffs Round 2, Game 1 – NYK (3) vs. PHI (7); NBC, Peacock
The Knicks dominated the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of these NBA Playoffs. In Game 6, they achieved one of the most dominant victories in NBA postseason history, a 51-point win over Atlanta.
For the Boston Celtics, it wasn’t so easy. They choked away a 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, who will visit Madison Square Garden tonight for Game 1 against the Knicks. Two years ago, the Knicks overcame Philadelphia in a grueling first-round series. This season, it isn’t going to get any easier.
Image Courtesy: New York Knicks
Two years ago, Joel Embiid became the enemy, especially against Mitchell Robinson. With Tyrese Maxey’s breakout season, the addition of VJ Edgecombe, and the overall success Philadelphia has had this postseason, these 76ers are stronger and more confident than the ones the Knicks beat two years ago.
But the Knicks didn’t have Karl-Anthony Towns back then. He is the difference-maker for this Knicks team. His success on the court is key to the Knicks going all the way. He took four shots in Game 6 against Atlanta, yet he achieved a triple-double, his second of the series and his career.
In their first-round series, the Knicks only had to worry about themselves. As they ultimately demonstrated, their game was too much for the Hawks to combat. While the Knicks should win this second-round series, Philadelphia is a more complete and talented team than Atlanta.
Maxey can take over a game at any moment, and Embiid can bend your mind until you break. But Embiid has been battling a knee injury, and he returned from an appendectomy last week.
“It’s about us,” said head coach Mike Brown. “A lot of times, it’s about us, even if we know who we’re playing. There’s plenty that you can work on without knowing who your opponent is, because you’re trying to get better or sharper in the areas that make you who you are.”
Overall, the Knicks, who are well-rested and have home court advantage, are stronger in more areas than Philadelphia, but the margins are close enough to argue that, since these are the playoffs, anything can happen.
The Knicks are the better three-point shooting team, and they showed against Atlanta that they are capable of defending from downtown. But Maxey is a lot like Jalen Brunson in his unique ability to cut to the hoop and drain uncanny shots.
“Maxey is the number one guy in transition in the league,” Brown said.
The Knicks were excellent at defending the Hawks in transition. They allowed a remarkably low number of fastbreak points. Philadelphia can thrive in transition, so the Knicks have to work hard to win the rebound battle, secure 50-50 balls, and dictate the pace of play. If they do these things, they will win this series.
“They’re really good in passing lanes,” Brown said of the Sixers. “Great anticipation, long arms, quick, explosive, great at all those things, which equates to a lot of turnovers for teams. Their guards can give anybody a handful of problems on both ends of the floor.”
Also, the Knicks’ bench is deeper than Philadelphia’s. Mitchell Robinson will play a pivotal bench role in this series. He was fined for an altercation with Dyson Daniels in Game 6 against Atlanta, and given his history with Embiid, it will be interesting to see if he can control his temper.
There was a moment in the playoffs two years ago when Embiid committed a flagrant foul by grabbing Robinson’s left leg in midair, crushing his ankle. The contact, which looked dirty, ended Robinson’s postseason, forced him to miss most of last season, and limited his playing time this season. Through load management, the Knicks have kept Robinson healthy this year. He needs to stay that way at all costs.
“He can be big,” Brown said of Robinson. “Mitch is unique, so no matter who we play, Mitch is extremely important to what we’re trying to do. The way he gets offensive rebounds, the way he’s a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll game, the way he protects the rim, and his versatility guarding. All that stuff is extremely important for us in this series.”
The Knicks will likely deploy OG Anunoby, their best defender, against Embiid for most of tonight’s game, but when Robinson enters the fray, it will be big man on big man. This will allow Anunoby to help Josh Hart handle Maxey, while he and Bridges create lanes for Brunson.
Towns will also be tasked with facing Embiid at times. Towns wasn’t strong defensively this season, but he silenced the critics in the series against Atlanta. If he can handle Embiid, the Knicks will be in even better shape because more players, including Hart, will be freed to handle Maxey and Edgecombe.
Hart recognizes he is no longer defending CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker; Maxey and Edgecombe are a more dynamic duo. In Hart’s words, McCullum is an “Unc,” while Maxey and Edgecombe are “on the young side.”
“They’re quick, they’re explosive,” Hart said. “So, there’s definitely a different style of defense. Gonna tell them to slow down a little bit so I can get my hands on them and be physical. It’s a fun matchup.”
This series will be fun, but only because it will be challenging. The Knicks are seeking their second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The 76ers are going to make them earn it.
Game Information
Teams: No. 3 New York Knicks (RS: 53-29, 30-10 Home) vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (RS: 45-37, 22-19 Away)
Time: 8:00 PM
Networks: NBC, Peacock (Pregame and Postgame on MSG, Gotham Sports)
Venue: Madison — 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001
Monday Line: NYK -7.5 (ESPN Bet)
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Knicks
