If you’re going to play a team on the road, it’s probably good to catch them right after they’ve been in Las Vegas celebrating a championship, and then had to play another game the night before. That’s
the situation the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in tonight, as they take on the New York Knicks. The Knickerbockers are fresh off an NBA Cup title following their win over San Antonio on Tuesday night, and then also went down to the wire last night in Indiana, edging out the Pacers, 114-113. However, there won’t be a banner ceremony tonight with New York returning home, as the Knicks are “focused on the bigger picture.” You’d also hate to detract from their Atlantic Division championship banners from 30 years ago or the Billy Joel banner.
The Knicks are playing good ball, though, and not just in Cup play. After defeating the Pacers, they sit at 19-7 on the season, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. They had a host of players out last night, however. Josh Hart (ab strain), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee soreness), Mitchell Robinson (ankle management), Deuce McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) all missed. McBride and Shamet are longer-term injuries, while the other three might be back on the court together as the Knicks navigate their back-to-back.
As for the Sixers, Tyrese Maxey will be making his return after missing two games, but now Joel Embiid has caught the illness bug and is listed as questionable. Kelly Oubre Jr (left knee sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) are still out.
Aside from everyone dealing with cold and flu season, the Sixers should be very well rested for this contest, having not played since Sunday’s loss in Atlanta and only two games total since December 7. Philadelphia does play again tomorrow night back home against Dallas, and given there’s no chance he would be playing both ends of a back-to-back anyway, maybe they’ll give Embiid another day to try to kick whatever bug Arthur brought home to him.
Tonight is the first of the four meetings this season between the clubs. The Knicks swept the season series last year, particularly gutting after the hard-fought playoff series in the spring of 2024. I’ll be glad if the Sixers never have a season as bad as last one purely so we don’t have to witness the degree to which Knicks fans took over the arena in South Philly again. Of course, that won’t be an issue with tonight’s proceedings in Manhattan, and Knicks fans will be (rightfully) puffing their chests after the Cup title.
We should be in for some entertaining hoops tonight. Maxey and Jalen Brunson trading shots is usually a blast, and I’m excited to see VJ Edgecombe get his turn at slowing down Jalen. The Knicks may have a Cup title to celebrate, but did they win the 2014 Orlando Summer League? No? Well, then, guess, we’re even.
Game Details
When: Friday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Watch: Prime Video
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
