For as traditional and heated as a New York vs. Philadelphia rivalry is, postseason meetings between the Knicks and 76ers have been scarce. In fact, they haven’t met in the playoffs since first round of the 1989 playoffs.
That all ends on Saturday as the Knicks host the Sixers at Madison Square Garden after a 50-win season that was clinched by a torrid streak to end the season. New York won their last five games and six of their last seven to jump up the standings and swipe the No. 2 seed away from the Milwaukee Bucks.
While the 76ers had just three fewer wins this season, they were relegated to the No. 7 seed in the East and with that, a Play-In date with the Miami Heat that they narrowly escaped from with a one-point victory.
The Knicks have handled Philadelphia well this season, taking three of four games, but we all know that this is a new season and with the firepower both sides possess, anything goes.
Knicks vs. 76ers 1st Round Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV |
| 1 | Saturday, April 20 | 6 p.m. | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | ESPN |
| 2 | Monday, April 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | TNT |
| 3 | Thursday, April 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA | TNT |
| 4 | Sunday, April 28 | 1 p.m. | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA | ABC |
| 5* | Tuesday, April 30 | TBD | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | TBD |
| 6* | Thursday, May 2 | TBD | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA | TBD |
| 7* | Saturday, May 4 | TBD | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | TNT |
*If necessary
Knicks vs. 76ers Tale of the Tape
| Knicks | Stat | 76ers |
| 50-32 | Record | 47-35 |
| 2nd in East | Finish | 7th in East |
| 112.8 (19th) | Points Per Game | 114.6 (14th) |
| 108.2 (2nd) | Points Against Per Game | 111.5 (9th) |
| 45.2 (5th) | Rebounds Per Game | 43.0 (20th) |
| 46.5% (T-20th) | FG% | 46.4% (23rd) |
| 36.9% (T-13th) | 3P% | 36.3% (18th) |
Why the Knicks can win
Jalen Brunson: What New York’s point guard did this season was nothing short of awe-inspiring. A franchise starving for consistent success chasing a first title in over 50 years who has not had a legitimate, game-changer of a floor general since the days of Walt Clyde Frazier finally has just that. Brunson is more than worthy of being an NBA MVP candidate this season, Averaging a career-best 28.7 points per game, he hit a different gear down the stretch to carry the Knicks to the No. 2 seed despite not having Julius Randle and OG Anunoby for large portions of it. Since March 14, he has averaged 35.1 points per game including a 61-point effort and five nights with 40 or more. The heart and soul of the Knicks somehow has more to prove and that is only because this is a franchise trying to get back to territory unknown to them in two-plus decades: the deep playoffs.
OG = W’s: For as brilliant the heroics of Brunson were this season, the acquisition of OG Anunoby altered the course of the Knicks’ season. He provided that missing 3-and-D presence needed in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s system and with it, New York took off.
They went 12-2 in his first 14 games before loose bodies in his elbow required surgery. He came back for three games before missing more time due to tennis elbow, but he’s back, and the Knicks continue to pump out wins at a remarkable pace.
Anunoby has played in 23 games with New York. It has won 20 of them.
Tough on Embiid: There is no denying that Joel Embiid is one of the premier talents in the NBA even if his postseason track record is tarnishing his legacy. Regardless, this is the straw that stirs the 76ers’ drink when healthy. In 39 games, he averaged a ridiculous 34.7 points with 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists. In the one game he played against the Knicks this season on Jan. 5, he dropped 30 points.
Those Knicks did not have Mitchell Robinson available, though. The dominant big man was sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery that held him out from December until the end of July.
Embiid will provide Robinson with his toughest assignment yet, but the Knicks’ big man — coming off the bench behind Isaiah Hartenstein as he continues to ramp up — is one of the most dominant big men in the game that will give the Sixers’ star everything he could possibly handle down low.
Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa have also proven tenacious in their own rights and a high-intensity defense against Embiid could neutralize him if it proves relentless. Look for Anunoby to pitch in should the Philly star try to spread the floor and work further away from the basket.
Projected Knicks Starting 5
- PG- Jalen Brunson
- SG- Donte DiVincenzo
- SF- Josh Hart
- PF- OG Anunoby
- C- Isaiah Hartenstein
Projected 76ers Starting 5
- PG- Tyrese Maxey
- SG- Kyle Lowry
- SF- Kelly Oubre Jr.
- PF- Tobias Harris
- C- Joel Embiid
