Knicks Prepare for 76ers in Eastern Conference Playoffs

A long-standing rival in the Atlantic Division stands between the Knicks and a chance to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it’s not the opponent many anticipated.

There will be no rematch with the Celtics. Instead, the Knicks will face a revitalized 76ers team in the second round starting Monday night at the Garden.

Seventh-seeded Philadelphia made a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, defeating a Celtics team that was without Jayson Tatum on Saturday night at TD Garden.

These aren’t the same 76ers who finished the regular season with a 45-37 record. They’re finally healthy.

Superstar center Joel Embiid, who had surgery for appendicitis towards the end of the regular season and missed the first three playoff games, is back in action.

In the series against the second-seeded Celtics, Embiid averaged 28 points and nine rebounds over four games, although he seemed to tweak his left knee in the dying moments of Game 7.

The trio of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey played together in only 15 regular season games, yet they appeared formidable against Boston.

Maxey, in particular, had a standout performance. He played a crucial role in Game 7, finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.

There’s a bit of recent history between the Knicks and 76ers. The two teams faced each other in a thrilling first-round matchup two years ago, with the Knicks emerging victorious in six games, five of which were decided by single digits.

Notably, there was a controversial incident where Embiid committed a flagrant foul by grabbing Mitchell Robinson’s leg mid-air, which aggravated Robinson’s ankle injury and cut their postseason short.

The Knicks had begun their preparation for the next series on Saturday, unaware it would be against the 76ers.

As the Celtics and 76ers were gearing up for a crucial Game 7, Knicks coach Mike Brown shared his take: “It’s about us. Even though we know who we’re playing, there’s plenty we can work on to improve.”

The Knicks moved confidently into the next round after overcoming the Hawks in six games. Although, it wasn’t without its challenges, as they found themselves trailing 2-1 at one point in that series.

Yet, the team displayed resilience, winning three consecutive games by a combined margin of 96 points, including a record-setting 51-point win in the clinching game.

When asked if they’ve been playing at a championship level, Jalen Brunson expressed that their performance was strong enough to get past the first round.

This past performance contrasts sharply with the struggles of other top Eastern Conference seeds like the No. 1 Pistons and No. 2 Celtics.

The Pistons had to rally from a 22-point halftime deficit against the Magic to force a Game 7. Meanwhile, the Celtics were eliminated in the first round.

While the Knicks enjoy a well-deserved break, they find themselves in the position of potentially being the highest remaining seed in the conference.

Brunson mentioned he’s not too preoccupied with that aspect: “You have to control what you can control. It’s all about taking it one day at a time.”

This marks the fourth consecutive season where the Knicks have made it past the first round, a first since 1992-2000.

This particular series win against the Hawks felt different. For one, Brown, not Thibodeau, is at the helm.

Moreover, the Knicks bounced back from a series deficit, a feat that hadn’t been achieved since the 2000 postseason.

Brown drew comparisons between this group and elite teams that reached the NBA Finals, like the Spurs, Warriors, and Cavaliers. He acknowledged their resilience, noting that in the playoffs, overcoming adversity is key. He believes this team’s sacrifices, competitive spirit, and beliefs mirror those of championship-level teams.