Two years ago, the Knicks outscored the 76ers by just one point (650-649) throughout their thrilling six-game first-round series.
The rematch began with the 76ers’ worst playoff loss since 1982, their most points allowed in a playoff game since 1970 and the ninth-biggest blowout of any series opener in NBA history. The Knicks’ 137-98 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals also resulted in the 76ers becoming the second team in NBA history to lose three playoff games by at least 30 points in the same postseason.
But the Sixers bounced back from similar beatdowns in the first round, responding to a series-opening blowout loss in Boston with a 14-point win in Game 2.
Then, after being embarrassed in Game 4 by the heavily favored Celtics, Philadelphia found rhythm and resolve, becoming the first team in franchise history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.
“If we lose by seven points, or 70 points, it doesn’t really matter,” Tyrese Maxey said after Monday’s loss. “They won one game and we lost one game. We’re gonna make some adjustments and we’ll be ready for Game 2. Game 1 doesn’t carry over to Game 2.”
The Knicks started this series with advantages on paper, but also the edge of being off the previous three days, following three stress-free victories over the Hawks.
The 76ers played their sixth game in 11 days, entering Madison Square Garden less than 48 hours after leaving Boston with one of the team’s biggest victories in decades.
“We can’t use the fatigue as an excuse,” Paul George said. “But it has been an emotional roller coaster. You go from a Game 7, you get one day off and then you’re right back into another matchup. I think there was some carryover of us trying to get up and trying to get prepared for this next matchup. But we definitely should have come out and did a better job.”
Rest and renewed purpose may not help against Jalen Brunson, who averaged 35.5 points in the 2024 series and just carved up the Sixers for 35 points in 31 minutes. Philly may have no answers for newly designated point center Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging eight assists in the past four games.
But the 76ers should expect more from Maxey, who attempted just one shot in the first 15 minutes of Game 1 and finished with his fewest points (13) since Jan. 26.
Embiid, who shot 3-for-11 from the field, scored his fewest points (14) since Dec. 4. And the 76ers — who rank seventh in fewest turnovers committed — gave away the ball 19 times in Game 1, leading to 25 points for the Knicks.
“We have to wash that one away and get back and provide a bunch more energy and physicality,” said 76ers coach Nick Nurse, who attended his brother’s funeral in Iowa on Tuesday, but is expected to be at the Garden tonight for Game 2. “I just felt like we were a full step slower defensively. We just seemed like we were chasing everything, didn’t guard the ball well enough, didn’t contest shooters well enough. They were obviously picking us apart, just moving a lot better than we were.
“I think it was a pretty tough night for everybody. I didn’t think we shot it particularly well, but I don’t think we generated good enough shots. We’re gonna have to figure out how to run more offense to get some of the same looks we got in the past series. Obviously it’s a new series. We gotta figure it out.”