76ers Lose in the First Round to Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers lost their first round series in the NBA Playoffs 4-2 to the New York Knicks. In one of the most highly anticipated series this year, both teams lived up to the hype with the Sixers being outscored by New York just one point through the six games. Philadelphia goes back to the drawing board after what feels like a lifetime of first and second round losses. There are certainly some players that will be moved, but the duo of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid is the central piece of this team. Tobias Harris and his massive contract are expiring, and Philly is already being linked to Paul George this offseason. Whatever this offseason holds, the team still needs that extra edge to become a true contender.

Game One Recap

Game One started the series off in a nail-biting, heart-pumping fashion with a 111-104 loss for Philadelphia. Maxey and Embiid managed to put up 62 combined points, but the bench had just seven total. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson had a slow start for New York, but Nick Nurse’s strategy of leaving Josh Hart open on threes failed with Hart shooting 4-8 (50%) from beyond the arc and tallying 22 points. Miles McBride also helped close the game with 21 points off the bench. The Knicks bench ultimately won them the first game of a competitive series.

Game Two Recap

Game Two could not have been more deflating for the 76ers in a 104-101 loss. Embiid finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Maxey added 35 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. The Villanova alum of Hart, Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 64 points, but Brunson shot 8-29 (27.6%). Philadelphia held a 101-96 lead with just under 30 seconds left, but Brunson nailed his first three of the game to cut the deficit. Then, in the most controversial play of the game, the Sixers turned the ball over on an inbound play that was later shown to have two fouls and a timeout that were not called. Following that, DiVincenzo drilled a three to ultimately win the game for New York.

Game Three Recap

Game Three in Philadelphia went much better with a 125-114 win. Embiid was the hero of this game with a 50-bomb featuring five threes for the big man. Maxey also added 25 points in the effort to combat the Knicks’ point guard’s 39 points. It was a relatively close game, but the Sixers posted a huge third quarter, scoring 43 to the Knicks’ 27. The home win left a shimmer of hope for Philly.

Game Four Recap

Despite an early lead, the 76ers dropped their second home game 97-92. Embiid had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Maxey posted 23 points. Brunson showed out for the Knicks, breaking the single-game playoff record for points with 47. In the end, the low-scoring affair for the Sixers could not beat New York to even the series.

Game Five Recap

Game Five was a thrilling overtime dub for the Sixers, 112-106. Maxey stepped up with 46 points, seven threes, and nine assists. Brunson opposed with 40 points as well, but Maxey got the best of the point guard battle in this one. Embiid had an underwhelming triple-double including nine turnovers. The highlights of the game came from a clutch Maxey with a four-point play late and a logo three to send it to overtime. Overall, Philadelphia came out victorious, edging out New York in the last period.

Game Six Recap

Game Six was another nail-biter, but it ended the series with a 118-115 loss for Philadelphia. After trailing by 22, the 76ers fought back to make it a competitive game, but the Knicks closed out to finish the first-round matchup. Embiid battled to put up 39 points and 13 rebounds, but Brunson posted his third-straight 40-point game to help the Knicks. In timely fashion, Harris had zero points in what was likely his last game in red, white, and blue.