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Knicks Take 3-0 Lead, Brunson Scores 33, Embiid Returns

5/9/2026

25 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Knicks Seal Series

The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 on May 8, 2026 in Philadelphia, earning a 3-0 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and hit late baskets to seal the win.
Joel Embiid returned after missing Game 2, scoring 18 points despite a sprained ankle.
Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller attended as Game 4 was set for Sunday in Philadelphia, leaving the Knicks one win from the Eastern Conference Finals.

Summary

Knicks Rebound Edge

The Knicks posted a 20-11 advantage on second-chance points in Game 3, highlighting their rebounding edge.
Miles McBride started at guard in Game 3, replacing the injured OG Anunoby.
Jordan Clarkson’s offensive rebounding rose to 11.0%, ranking 11th among players with ten minutes.
Knicks generated 1.30 points per possession on Brunson-Embiid screens, helping them average 123 points per 100 possessions.

Summary

Anunoby Status

Anunoby’s status will shape the Knicks’ defensive rotations for Game 3 in Philadelphia.
He averages 21.4 points per game in the postseason, shooting 61.9% and 53.8% from three.
Anunoby is widely regarded as New York’s top defender, anchoring the team’s perimeter security.
Two years ago he missed four games with a similar hamstring strain in the series against the Indiana Pacers, although he scored 24 points despite the injury in Game 2.

History

Historical Context

The Knicks-Pacers rivalry intensified in the early 1990s, culminating in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals when Pat Riley’s New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 94-90 in Game 7, propelled by Ewing’s late put-back and Miller’s 25 fourth-quarter points. That victory sent New York to the NBA Finals and set the stage for the Pacers’ 2000 Finals run.

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Knicks Seal Series

The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 on May 8, 2026 in Philadelphia, earning a 3-0 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and hit late baskets to seal the win.
Joel Embiid returned after missing Game 2, scoring 18 points despite a sprained ankle.
Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller attended as Game 4 was set for Sunday in Philadelphia, leaving the Knicks one win from the Eastern Conference Finals.

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