Broadway on Broad Street — Knicks Rain Fire to Sweep Sixers
Broadway on Broad Street — Knicks Rain Fire to Sweep Sixers
PHILADELPHIA — The New York Knicks didn't just bring brooms to the City of Brotherly Love; they brought a flamethrower.
In a performance that bordered on basketball malpractice, the Knicks turned Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center into "Madison Square Garden South" on Sunday, obliterating the 76ers 144-114. The victory completes a ruthless second-round sweep and sends New York back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
If you blinked in the first quarter, you missed a historic shooting clinic. The Knicks tied an NBA postseason record with 25 three-pointers, including a staggering 11 in the first quarter alone.
The "Deuce" is Loose
With OG Anunoby sidelined, Mike Brown called on Miles "Deuce" McBride to step into the starting lineup. McBride didn't just step in; he kicked the door down. The young guard hit four triples in the first five minutes, sparking "Deuuuuuce" chants from a crowd that was overwhelmingly wearing blue and orange. McBride finished with a game-high 25 points, hitting seven shots from deep and proving that this Knicks roster is deeper than a Philly pothole.
Statistical Dominance
The Knicks aren't just winning; they’re embarrassing people. Their 19.4 point-per-game margin of victory through the first two rounds is the largest since the NBA expanded the playoffs in 1984.
Jalen Brunson: 22 points, coolly directing traffic while the Sixers’ defense collapsed.
Karl-Anthony Towns: 17 points and 10 assists, showing off the playmaking that has transformed New York’s offense.
Josh Hart: 17 points and four 3-pointers. Hart was so feeling himself he literally gave the jersey off his back to a fan after the win.
A Franchise in Freefall
For the 76ers, this wasn't just a loss; it was an identity crisis. Despite a gutsy first-round upset of Boston, Philadelphia looked completely outclassed. Joel Embiid finished a characteristically injury-riddled season with 24 points, but the gap in energy was wider than the scoreboard suggested. The Sixers have now failed to advance past the second round every year since 2001—a streak that feels more like a curse at this point.
What’s Next?
The Knicks now get a well-deserved week off to rest their "high-mileage" stars like Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges while they wait for the winner of the Detroit-Cleveland series (Pistons lead 2-1).
"Our guys tried to take it to another level with their focus on details," said Mike Brown. If this is the "detail-oriented" version of the Knicks, the rest of the East should be terrified.
The Box Score
Player Points 3PM Notable
Miles McBride (NYK) 25 7 First-quarter explosion
Jalen Brunson (NYK) 22 6 Controlled the tempo
Joel Embiid (PHI) 24 0 Season ends in frustration
Tyrese Maxey (PHI) 17 1 Struggled with NYK length
The Bottom Line: New York is playing with a "Zero Filter" intensity that looks championship-ready. The road to the Finals officially runs through the Garden.
