Knicks win back-and-forth battle with Joel Embiid-less 76ers, take 2-0 series lead

May 7, 2026 - 05:33

The New York Knicks proved they can handle the heat in a close game, grinding out a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Unlike the lopsided affair in Game 1, this one was a back-and-forth slugfest that came down to the final possessions.

With Joel Embiid sidelined due to a knee injury, the Sixers showed surprising fight. Tyrese Maxey carried the load offensively, keeping Philadelphia in the game with a mix of pull-up jumpers and drives to the rim. The Knicks, however, found their rhythm just in time. Jalen Brunson took over in the fourth quarter, hitting tough shots and drawing fouls to put New York ahead for good.

The Knicks defense tightened up when it mattered most, forcing a critical turnover in the final minute that sealed the win. The Garden crowd erupted as the final buzzer sounded, sensing that this series is firmly in the Knicks' control. While the Sixers will hope for Embiid's return in Game 3, New York has shown it can win ugly, win pretty, and win tight. That versatility is what separates good teams from great ones in the postseason.