Full Breakdown
Knicks Sweep 76ers, Earn Second Straight Eastern Conference Finals Spot
5/11/2026, 4:31:44 AM
Knicks Clinch East Finals Berth with Game-4 Blowout
On Sunday night in Philadelphia, the New York Knicks defeated the 76ers 144-114 to complete a 4-0 series sweep and secure a second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference finals. The victory tied the NBA postseason record for most three-pointers in a single series with 25 made shots.
Coaching Change Fuels Playoff Surge
After reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years last season, New York dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau and hired former Indiana Pacers coach Mike Brown. Brown’s tenure began with a win-streak that now includes seven straight playoff victories, three of which came against Atlanta in the first round.
Standout Performances
Jalen Brunson contributed 22 points, while Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 17. Deuce McBride, starting for the injured OG Anunoby, erupted for 25 points on seven three-pointers, four of which came in the opening quarter. Towns also recorded 10 assists.
Shooting Explosion and Record-Setting Numbers
- 25 three-pointers – ties NBA postseason record.
- McBride’s 7 threes (4 in Q1) made him the first Knick since 1997 to hit four triples in the first quarter of a playoff game.
- 11-of-13 from beyond the arc in Q1 tied the NBA mark for most makes in a quarter.
- 18 threes in the first half produced 54 points, accounting for the majority of the 81-57 halftime lead.
- The Knicks posted 80-plus points in the first half twice across five road playoff games this postseason.
- The sweep marks the franchise’s first best-of-seven series sweep since the 1999 Eastern semifinals against Atlanta.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Mike Brown credited the team’s “focus on the details, energy and effort level” for the dominant performance. He noted that the Knicks’ execution on the three-point arc was a key factor in “playing pretty good basketball.” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse highlighted a “big gap” in energy between the two squads, suggesting the Knicks’ intensity outmatched Philadelphia’s.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the loss, Philadelphia’s stars emphasized lingering challenges. Joel Embiid, playing through a historically injury-ridden season, reflected on uncertain health prospects, saying he entered the year “not knowing where I was going to be.” His comments underscore the Sixers’ ongoing struggle to advance beyond the second round, a barrier not broken since 2001.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s just us being very locked in to the moment,” — Karl-Anthony Towns, Player, New York Knicks
- “Our guys tried to take it to another level with their focus on the details and their energy and effort level,” — Mike Brown, Head Coach, New York Knicks
- “The energy was a big gap between their energy and our energy, I thought,” — Nick Nurse, Head Coach, Philadelphia 76ers
- “I came into this year not knowing where I was going to be (with health), how long I was going to play, if I was even going to play based on how the knee was the last few years,” — Joel Embiid, Center, Philadelphia 76ers
- “My right hand remembered that the goal was to make 3s,” — Josh Hart, Guard, New York Knicks
What’s Next
The Knicks now await the winner of the Cleveland-Detroit series to determine their opponent in the Eastern Conference finals.
