The New York Knicks took a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the series between them in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The hosts were catching up throughout the game and trailed by 5 points 30 seconds before the final whistle, but two consecutive 3-pointers by Jaylen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo brought the Madison Square Garden crowd to its feet.
Brunson had a rough night, making just 8-of-29 shooting from the field, but still finished with 24 points. Josh Hart was very helpful for the hosts with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and DiVincenzo scored 19 points.
Tyrese Maxey had a very strong game for Philadelphia with 35 points and 10 assists, and he was just one fight away from a triple-double. Joel Embiid scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but the efforts of both proved insufficient.
15 of Maxey’s points came in the final quarter. His 3-pointer made it 100-96 with just under a minute to go, and Kyle Lowry hit one of two free throws 47 seconds before the buzzer and it seemed all but settled. Luck finally smiled on Brunson and the ball bounced off the ring and into the basket for 99:101.
The hosts then pressured Maxey and made him make mistakes. DiVincenzo missed from the three, but Isaiah Hartenstein took the fight and DiVincenzo got another chance, this time it was accurate.
Another key performance followed from Hartenstein blocking Tyrese Maxey. OJ Anuobi then drew two fouls, and Embiid failed to send the game into overtime with a long shot at the buzzer.
New York won the first two games of a playoff series for the first time since 2013.
Game 3 of the series is Thursday in Philadelphia.
Tags: York won Game Philadelphia stunning late turnaround
