Jalen Brunson poured in 35 points, including 27 in the first half, as the New York Knicks steamrolled the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York shot 63 percent as a team, led by as many as 40 points, and extended a historic postseason surge.
The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win three straight playoff games by at least 25 points, a run that began in the first round against Atlanta. After falling behind 2-1 in that series, New York has now won four consecutive playoff games by a combined 135 points. Sportradar noted the Knicks are also the first team since detailed play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97 to lead three straight playoff games by 30 or more points.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in just 20 minutes, summed up the team’s approach: they’re playing well but remain focused on closing the series. “We’re playing well, but it doesn’t mean anything if we can’t find a way to get three more wins,” Towns said. Brunson credited sharper focus and attention to detail for the turnaround: those habits, he said, will help in tight games as well as blowouts.
OG Anunoby added 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Mikal Bridges also scored 17. Brunson logged 31 minutes, perhaps the chief reason he fell short of a fourth consecutive 40-point outing against Philadelphia.
Philadelphia offered little resistance. Paul George led the 76ers with 17 points. Joel Embiid managed 14 on 3-of-11 shooting, and Tyrese Maxey finished with 13 after missing his first basket until about five minutes into the second quarter. The 76ers, who had only one full day off after closing their first-round series in Boston, looked like the team that suffered two prior 32-point defeats in these playoffs.
New York’s dominance was evident throughout. The Knicks extended a 10-point edge to 57-39 on an eight-point run midway through the second quarter, and Brunson closed the half with the team’s final 11 points, drilling a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left to make it 74-51 at intermission. Towns hit a 3 early in the third to put New York up 90-60 about five minutes into the second half, after which the reserves played much of the rest of the game.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday before the series shifts to Philadelphia. Embiid had urged fans not to sell tickets to visiting Knicks supporters, but Monday’s result offered little comfort for Sixers faithful. Through the evening, Philadelphia still searches for a reliable way to contain Brunson, who averaged 35.5 points in a 2024 first-round series against the Sixers that included three straight 40-point games and a franchise playoff-record 47 in Game 4.