Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart each had 22 points, while Deuce McBride led the New York Knicks’ bench with 21 points in their 111-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. McBride outscored the 76ers by himself with 13 points in the second quarter when Joel Embiid had to leave the game due to a knee injury. Despite Embiid’s return and rally in the second half, Josh Hart’s clutch 3-pointers helped the Knicks secure the win. Hart also contributed 13 rebounds to the victory, breaking the Knicks’ streak of losing Game 1 in their previous three series.
Embiid finished the game with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points. Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks’ former starting center who has been coming off the bench since recovering from ankle surgery, played a significant role in limiting Embiid’s impact on the game. Embiid, who missed a significant portion of the regular season due to injury, has shown signs of being limited in his performance on the court. Despite his efforts, the Knicks displayed superior team balance and depth in their first 50-win season since 2012-13.
Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 13 points off the bench for the Knicks, who will host Game 2 on Monday. Embiid’s availability for Game 1 was uncertain, but he ultimately played and performed well. The Knicks fans showed their support for McBride, chanting his nickname “Deuce” during his impressive second-quarter performance. Brunson, a first-time All-Star who has been essential to the Knicks’ success this season, struggled with his shooting but still played a key role in the team’s victory.
The game took a turn when Embiid left with a knee injury late in the second quarter. The Knicks took advantage of his absence, going on a scoring run to end the quarter with a double-digit lead. However, Embiid returned in the second half and helped the 76ers mount a comeback, eventually taking the lead in the third quarter. The Knicks fought back in the fourth quarter, with contributions from Bogdanovic, Robinson, and McBride to secure the win.
The Knicks’ victory in Game 1 sets the stage for an exciting series against the 76ers. With Embiid’s health in question, the Knicks will look to capitalize on their balanced roster and depth to maintain their momentum in Game 2. As the playoffs progress, both teams will need to make adjustments and continue to showcase their strengths to advance in the postseason. The upcoming games promise to be intense and closely contested, with both teams vying for a spot in the later rounds of the playoffs.
Overall, the Knicks’ performance in Game 1 reflects their resilience and determination to compete at a high level in the postseason. With key contributions from Brunson, Hart, McBride, and their bench players, the Knicks have shown that they have the potential to be a threat in the Eastern Conference playoffs. As they prepare for Game 2 and the rest of the series against the 76ers, the Knicks will look to build on their Game 1 victory and continue to showcase their strengths on both ends of the court.
