The New York Knicks sent a thunderous message to the Eastern Conference on Monday night, dismantling the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game 1 of the semifinals to take a 1-0 series lead and further cement what is becoming one of the most dominant playoff stretches in NBA history.
At the center of it all was Jalen Brunson, who poured in 35 points, including a blistering 27 in the first half. Brunson once again controlled the tempo with surgical precision, capping the second quarter with a deep three-pointer at the buzzer to send Madison Square Garden into a frenzy and give New York a commanding 74-51 halftime lead.
This wasn’t just another playoff win it was historic. The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive postseason games by at least 25 points, a staggering feat that underscores their current dominance. Even more impressively, they are the first team since detailed play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97 to lead three straight playoff games by 30 or more points.
After falling behind 2-1 in their first-round series against Atlanta, New York has responded with four straight wins by a combined 135 points, overwhelming opponents with elite efficiency, ball movement, and suffocating defense.
While Brunson led the charge, the Knicks’ supporting cast delivered a near-flawless performance. OG Anunoby added 18 points on an ultra-efficient 7-for-8 shooting night, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges chipped in 17 points apiece. Towns also contributed six rebounds and six assists in just 20 minutes of action.
New York shot a scorching 63% from the field, building a lead that ballooned to 40 points and forcing extended garbage time in the second half. By midway through the third quarter, when Towns drilled a three-pointer to make it 90-60, the outcome was no longer in doubt.
For Philadelphia, the performance was a stark contrast to the resilience they showed in the previous round. Fresh off a grueling seven-game comeback series win over Boston, the 76ers appeared fatigued and outmatched.
Joel Embiid struggled to find rhythm, finishing with just 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting. Tyrese Maxey added 13 points but didn’t make his first field goal until five minutes into the second quarter, while Paul George led the team with 17.
The 76ers had only one day of rest after their emotional Game 7 victory, and it showed. Instead of carrying momentum, they looked eerily similar to the team that had previously been blown out twice earlier in the playoffs.
There were uncomfortable echoes of past struggles for Philadelphia especially against Brunson. The Knicks star torched the 76ers in last year’s postseason, averaging 35.5 points in their 2024 first-round matchup, including three consecutive 40-point performances.
So far, nothing has changed. The 76ers still have no answer.
Game 2 shifts back to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, with the Knicks aiming to tighten their grip on the series before it heads to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Embiid has already urged 76ers fans to hold onto their tickets and bring energy for the home games but after a performance like this, belief may be harder to come by.
If Game 1 was any indication, the Knicks aren’t just winning they’re overwhelming. And right now, the rest of the NBA is struggling to keep up.
