At the end of the series on May 3, NBA Playoffs 2024 said goodbye to two more teams. One of those two names is the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with the presence of reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Despite playing at home and having a dream start when leading the New York Knicks by 22 points in the first half, Joel Embiid and his teammates lost their advantage in just over 10 minutes, leaving the match in balance. at the end of round 2.
The remainder of Game 6 witnessed an eye-catching score race between the two teams. But in the end, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart shined for the New York Knicks, helping the away team complete a comeback to win 118-115.
Jalen Brunson personally scored 41 points and added 12 assists to complete a double-double. New York’s All-Star defender marked the fourth consecutive game scoring 37 points or more, a streak that took 31 years to be repeated in NBA Playoffs history.
But Brunson’s brilliance would not have helped the Knicks win Game 6 without Josh Hart, who hit a “clutch” 3-point shot with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ defensive mistake at the wrong time cost them. After this shot, the Knicks kept the initiative with a series of cold points at the free throw line from Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson, thereby winning the final match.
This result puts an end to the NBA Playoffs round 1 series in the East between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. New York won with a total score of 4-2 and will meet the Indiana Pacers in the regional semifinal series.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers ended the season in regret, especially when they won Game 5 on New York’s field and took a 22-point lead in Game 6, full of hope of extending the series to the fourth match. 7.
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid did everything he could even though his knee had not fully recovered from injury, scoring 39 points with 13 rebounds, 2 assists with 12-25 FG.
Buddy Hield scored 20 points (6-9 3PT) in 20 minutes of play. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. each contributed 17 points and both had “clutch” scoring situations.
But in the end, the Philadelphia 76ers could not win the match on the day when two of their starting players did not score any points, Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry.
As for the New York Knicks, 113 of their total 118 points were scored by the starting lineup, led by 41 points in 44 minutes of play from Jalen Brunson.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 23 points and 7 assists. Josh Hart, besides the “clutch” 3-pointer, scored 16 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. OG Anunoby (19 PTS, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Isaiah Hartenstein (14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists) completed the “ starting-5″ by the Knicks.
This is the first time since 2000 that the New York Knicks have had two consecutive seasons appearing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The next challenge for Jalen Brunson and his teammates will be the energetic Indiana Pacers team.
The Eastern Conference semi-final series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers will begin with Game 1 taking place at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ home stadium.