The Knicks’ Game One dominance over the 76ers was surprising even to New York fans who had them winning. The game was one-sided in pretty much every aspect, besides free throws, which is one of the things Joel Embiid oddly had gripes with. Shooting, hustle, offensive execution, turnovers, defensive focus, passing—you name it. The Knicks were simply better in all facets of the game and outclassed the 76ers.
It was also fitting that in a game where Philadelphia fans thought Jalen Brunson would be shut
down by VJ Edgecombe and Paul George, it was Brunson himself who led the charge. The point guard scored a quiet 35 points, highlighting the efficiency and ease with which he scored. And he did it in a myriad of ways. He got to wherever he wanted and had everything working for him: three-pointers, mid-range, and in the paint. The man really could do no wrong on that end of the floor. But there was one common denominator in almost all of his points—Embiid. The Knicks were determined to find the big man and attack him relentlessly.
That being said, while the 76ers are less than 48 hours removed from suffering an embarrassing loss and are playing in their third game in five days, they’ll still likely come out looking like a different team tonight. Fans can expect them to start the game looking to match the Knicks’ energy and physicality—something Nick Nurse acknowledged was lacking in Game One. They’ll also likely look to attack Brunson on defense a lot more. And surely Nurse and his staff are looking at ways they can slow down the Knicks’ seemingly unstoppable offense.
Fans can also anticipate a bit of a drop-off from their efficiency. The Knicks’ Game One shooting is a clip that is hard to maintain for a long period. That being said, their offensive process was incredible in Game One. Many of their 137 points came off very easy looks, including 58 points in the paint. If they can maintain that level of patience, intentionality, and execution—even with the 76ers likely changing some of their coverages and schemes—the expected regression in their jump shooting shouldn’t matter much.
Prediction
I think the game very well could come down to how the first quarter goes. If the 76ers can start the game much more active defensively, get Tyrese Maxey going earlier, and make Brunson defend more, their energy could be hard for the Knicks to match. But if the Knicks have learned from their errors and shortcomings in Games Two and Three from the Hawks series, they may have not just the talent, but the mental maturity and focus to treat this like a Game Seven, withstand the 76ers’ early run, and punch back, dejecting them further.
I believe they can and will do that, and end up winning this one—less convincingly than in Game One, but still in a manner that sends a message that this team is serious. I expect a big game from Embiid and Maxey, as well as a more aggressive game from Edgecombe, but as long as Embiid is playing, which he has to, I also see a big game from Brunson, Anunoby, who has continued to establish himself as more than a role player, and Towns. As has often been the case, the difference-makers will be Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who were pivotal in Game One.
Knicks win: 120–110
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (1-0) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0-1)
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NY
TV: ESPN
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
