New York holds a 2-0 lead in its Eastern Conference semifinal with the Philadelphia 76ers and will play Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia on Friday and Sunday, the report says. Health questions complicate the trip: 76ers center Joel Embiid (hip, ankle) and Knicks wing OG Anunoby (hamstring) and guard Josh Hart (thumb) are listed as questionable, while Mitchell Robinson, who missed Game 2 with an illness, is listed as probable, per the report.
Philadelphia arrives having rallied from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Celtics in the first round, the report notes, and crowd dynamics could be a factor. The report says that two years ago the three games played in Philadelphia during the first round felt like Knicks home games for significant stretches, and that Embiid publicly urged fans not to sell tickets and to avoid letting Knicks fans into Xfinity Mobile Arena this weekend.
The Knicks’ recent form has been a throughline for analysts, the report says. New York closed out its first-round series against Atlanta by winning Games 4, 5 and 6 after narrow losses in Games 2 and 3 and followed with a strong showing in Game 1 against Philadelphia; Jalen Brunson’s late shotmaking stood out as the difference in Game 2, per the report. Bontemps writes that, so far, the Knicks have clearly been the class of the East playoffs and, pending Anunoby’s status, should be considered favorites to reach the NBA Finals.
Concern centers on Anunoby, the report says. Bontemps writes that Anunoby’s availability may be the most important question of the series — even more than Embiid’s — and that Anunoby has been New York’s best player and one of the best in the playoffs. Goodwill notes Anunoby’s unique combination of size, strength and speed and warns that if his hamstring worsens and he misses an extended period, New York’s offense and defense would suffer.
On offense, Goodwill writes that the Knicks have looked unusually smooth, with Karl-Anthony Towns showing passing instincts comparable to the Sabonis lineage and the offense preserving Brunson late in games. The report contrasts that with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who looked fatigued in the final minutes of Game 2 and were unable to sustain their earlier play.
With New York up 2-0, patience may be prudent, the report says, and the next two games in Philadelphia should go a long way toward determining whether the Knicks stay hot or if the 76ers finally get on the board.
