Full Breakdown
Knicks Sweep 76ers, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals
5/12/2026, 7:53:52 AM
Game 4 Overview
On May 10, 2026 the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Xfinity Mobile Arena, completing a 4-0 sweep and earning a second straight Eastern Conference-final berth.
Background
The Knicks had upset the Boston Celtics in the first round; the 76ers advanced past Boston after erasing a 3-1 deficit. The sweep was the Knicks’ first best-of-seven series sweep since 1999.
Key Performers
Knicks guard Miles McBride led with 25 points, hitting seven of nine threes. Jalen Brunson added 22 points on six triples; Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 17. Joel Embiid posted 24 points on perfect shooting and Tyrese Maxey had 17 for Philadelphia. OG Anunoby missed with a hamstring; Embiid played despite knee and hip issues.
Statistics
New York made 25 three-pointers (56.8 % of attempts), tying the NBA postseason record for most threes in a game and matching the 11-make quarter record. The 30-point win lifted the series-average margin to 19.4 points, the largest since 1984. The Knicks’ 194-point differential over ten playoff games set an NBA record for a 10-game span.
Official Statements
Coach Mike Brown praised “focus on the details, energy and effort.” Brunson noted “one game at a time.” Coach Nick Nurse said there was “a big gap in energy” between the teams. Front office head Daryl Morey is expected to review coaching and roster decisions.
Criticism & Opposition
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey called the Knicks-fan presence “it absolutely sucks, it just sucks,” urging the team to win. Joel Embiid lamented the loss, saying “we haven’t won… it’s hard to win in this league.”
Fan Presence
Knicks fans dominated the arena; ticket data showed 66 % of Game 4 tickets were bought by fans from New York or New Jersey, versus 17.3 % from Pennsylvania. They displayed brooms, “Always Knicks” towels and cheered loudly, creating a hostile atmosphere.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Attendance figures differ: the New York Daily News reported 19,746 fans, while other sources emphasize ticket-origin percentages. Point-differential calculations also vary, with some outlets citing a 19.4-point series average and others noting an 89-point total margin across four games.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I used to think Philly was a sports town. I don't know if it is anymore,” — Josh Hart, Knicks guard
- “It absolutely sucks, it just sucks,” — Tyrese Maxey, Sixers guard
- “The energy obviously was a big gap, between their energy and our energy, I thought,” — Nick Nurse, Sixers head coach
- “One game at a time. One game at a time,” — Jalen Brunson, Knicks guard
What’s Next
The Knicks will await the winner of the Detroit Pistons–Cleveland Cavaliers series before the Eastern Conference finals. The 76ers face offseason scrutiny of Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse, with ownership expected to decide on personnel changes soon.
