The New York Knicks overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers to complete a semifinal sweep, and the travelling support also dominated the stands, prompting a sharp comment from Josh Hart. A 144-114 win in Game 4 sent the Knicks back to the Eastern Conference finals.
New York controlled the contest on Sunday from early on, closing out the series 4-0 in Philadelphia. The Knicks reached the same stage last season, when the Indiana Pacers ended their run, but this year’s advance came with far less drama.
The atmosphere inside Xfinity Mobile Arena drew almost as much attention as the scoreline. Large numbers of Knicks fans filled the seats, and Hart suggested that the Sixers’ home-court edge had faded, saying: "I used to think Philly was a sports town. I don't
know if it is any more! Everybody was begging for Philly fans not to sell their tickets. It never felt like a road game. "
On the court, New York’s starting unit all reached double figures, with Miles McBride scoring 25 points and Jalen Brunson adding 22. Hart contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, setting the tone at both ends. Tyrese Maxey finished with 17 points for Philadelphia, but the Sixers never seriously threatened after half-time.
| Team / Player | Detail |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | Won Game 4, 144-114, completing 4-0 Eastern Conference semifinal sweep |
| Miles McBride | 25 points in Game 4 |
| Jalen Brunson | 22 points in Game 4 |
| Josh Hart | 17 points, 9 rebounds in Game 4 |
| Tyrese Maxey | 17 points in Game 4 |
Maxey echoed Hart’s remarks about the stands, but pointed back at the team. Maxey said: "It absolutely sucks, it just sucks. There's only one way to put a stop to it: We have to go out there and win these games. It felt louder in here for them than it did in the [Madison Square] Garden. "
KNICKS IN pic.twitter.com/oouKIMluaQNEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 10, 2026
Eastern Conference finals return for New York Knicks after Philadelphia 76ers’ extended run
The loss closed a campaign for the 76ers that had stretched further than many expected. Philadelphia had already upset the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the previous playoff round, rallying in that series despite line-up instability caused by Joel Embiid’s health problems.
Embiid missed long spells during the regular season with a knee issue, then required an emergency appendectomy about a month before facing New York. Right hip and ankle problems kept Embiid out of Game 2 against the Knicks, further disrupting rhythm as the Eastern Conference semifinal slipped away.
Looking ahead, Embiid focused on fitness and availability rather than awards or statistics. Embiid said: "I'm as confident as I've ever been. I think, obviously, my knee was the biggest concern, and I'm not thinking about it; and as long as we keep doing what we've been doing, I won't have to think about it any more. I'm looking at next year, obviously being more available. The personal goals, they don't matter. I know that if I'm available and I play as much as possible, everything else is going to follow. "
The Knicks now return to the Eastern Conference finals with balanced scoring and strong travelling support, while the 76ers move into the off-season assessing a year shaped by injuries. Philadelphia’s progress past Boston, and Embiid’s planned full campaign, remain central talking points for both teams across the conference.
