Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks 108-102 Past 76ers For 2-0 Advantage/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jalen Brunson scored 26 points as the Knicks defeated the 76ers 108-102 to grab a 2-0 series lead. Philadelphia battled without injured star Joel Embiid and kept the game close throughout. New York’s late-game execution and defensive adjustments helped secure another playoff victory.
Knicks 76ers Game 2 Quick Looks
- Knicks take commanding 2-0 series lead
- Jalen Brunson delivers clutch late-game baskets
- 76ers played without injured Joel Embiid
- Game featured 25 lead changes and 14 ties
- OG Anunoby scored 24 points for New York
- Series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3
Deep Look
Brunson Delivers Again As Knicks Take Control
Jalen Brunson once again proved why he has become the centerpiece of New York’s postseason surge, scoring 26 points Wednesday night to lead the New York Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The victory gives New York a commanding 2-0 lead as the series heads to Philadelphia.
Unlike the Knicks’ dominant 137-98 blowout in Game 1, this matchup turned into a tightly contested battle from start to finish.
The game featured:
- 25 lead changes
- 14 ties
- No lead larger than seven points
It marked the most lead changes in an NBA playoff game in more than a decade.
Brunson Takes Over In Closing Minutes
With the game deadlocked late in the fourth quarter, Brunson once again delivered in clutch moments.
He scored the tiebreaking basket with just over five minutes remaining before adding another jumper moments later to extend New York’s lead.
Coach Mike Brown praised Brunson’s composure under pressure.
“They started switching a little bit and he got to his spots and scored a bucket and that’s what he’s expected to do for us,” Brown said.
Brunson emphasized the importance of staying calm in tight postseason games.
“Most importantly it’s staying poised, staying composed,” he said. “Just figuring out one play at a time.”
The All-Star guard continues building on a remarkable playoff run that has firmly placed him among the NBA’s elite postseason performers.
Knicks Supporting Cast Continues Strong Play
New York received major contributions throughout the lineup.
OG Anunoby scored 24 points and played strong defense before leaving late in the game with an apparent injury. Brown said after the game he did not yet have an update on Anunoby’s condition.
Karl-Anthony Towns added:
- 20 points
- 10 rebounds
- Seven assists
Mikal Bridges contributed 18 points and played a key defensive role against Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey during the second half.
The Knicks’ balanced attack has become one of the biggest reasons behind their dominant postseason momentum.
76ers Fight Hard Without Embiid
Philadelphia entered Game 2 without reigning MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who was ruled out because of hip and ankle soreness.
Despite missing their star center, the 76ers responded far better than they did in Game 1.
Maxey scored 26 points after struggling in the series opener and looked explosive throughout the first half, repeatedly breaking down New York’s defense.
Additional scoring came from:
- Paul George — 19 points
- Kelly Oubre Jr. — 19 points
- VJ Edgecombe — 17 points
Philadelphia briefly took a late 99-96 lead after an Oubre three-pointer, but the Knicks quickly responded with a decisive closing run.
Defensive Adjustments Shift Momentum
One major turning point came after halftime when the Knicks adjusted defensively against Maxey.
After scoring 19 first-half points, Maxey found far fewer clean driving lanes in the second half as Bridges and the Knicks tightened perimeter pressure.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said the 76ers generated quality shots late but failed to convert enough opportunities.
“We just needed to keep the scoreboard moving,” Nurse said. “We played great offense. We just didn’t shot-make.”
Series Heads To Philadelphia
The series now shifts to Philadelphia for:
- Game 3 on Friday
- Game 4 on Sunday
The 76ers face another difficult postseason challenge after already overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against Boston in the first round.
Much of the attention now turns toward Embiid’s health and whether he can return to help Philadelphia avoid falling into an even deeper hole.
Meanwhile, the Knicks continue looking like one of the NBA’s hottest postseason teams after:
- Four straight playoff wins
- Historic scoring margins
- Elite late-game execution
- Strong defensive versatility
New York now sits just two wins away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals.
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