NBA playoffs 2026: What will decide Knicks-76ers Game 3 and beyond?
As the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinal between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers heads down Interstate 95 for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, there may be lots to dissect.
There’s Philadelphia trying to dig out of a second straight 2-0 deficit towards a rival division, having come again from 3-1 towards the Boston Celtics within the first spherical. There are well being questions on each side: 76ers middle Joel Embiid (hip, ankle) and Knicks wing OG Anunoby (hamstring) and guard Josh Hart (thumb) are questionable for Game 3. Mitchell Robinsonwho missed Game 2 with an sickness, is possible.
And then there’s the gang. Two years in the past, the three video games performed in Philadelphia through the first spherical felt like Knicks dwelling video games for important stretches — a lot in order that Embiid publicly implored dwelling followers to not promote their tickets and let Knicks followers into Xfinity Mobile Arena this weekend.
All of it shapes up for what must be two enjoyable video games between two of the league’s oldest franchises. Will the Knicks keep sizzling? Can Philly get on the board? Here are 5 issues to look at in Game 3 and past.
What have we realized by way of two video games of Knicks-76ers?
Bontemps: That New York’s efficiency towards the Atlanta Hawks wasn’t a fluke. The Knicks impressively slammed the door on the Hawks in Games 4, 5 and 6 of their first-round collection after shedding Games 2 and 3 by a mixed two factors, blowing out the Hawks the remainder of the best way, together with in file vogue to finish the collection.
The Knicks adopted with one other sensible exhibiting in Game 1 towards Philadelphia, earlier than Jalen Brunson‘s clutch shotmaking proved to be the distinction within the closing minutes of Game 2. So far, the Knicks have clearly been the category of the East playoffs, and pending the standing of Anunoby must be the clear favorites to succeed in the NBA Finals for the primary time since 1999.
Goodwill: Did it really feel just like the Knicks had been ready to unleash this new model of offense till later? Because for the determined occasions they may’ve been in, the offense certain appeared clean, like they’d been practising it for a while. Karl-Anthony Towns placing on his finest Sabonis impression (Arvydas or Domantas, take your choose) of passing and not having to be a 25-point scorer to be efficient is actually a revelation.
If nothing else, the Knicks are preserving Brunson from being worn out late in video games. Compare that with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombewho appeared out of gasoline within the final six minutes of Game 2, unable to maintain the pace and athleticism that had them on the verge of stealing home-court benefit Wednesday evening.
How might the collection change if Anunoby misses time?
Goodwill: The Knicks have had affordable well being this season and are the one remaining playoff crew with all 5 starters ending with no less than 65 video games performed. It speaks to continuity, and what Anunoby brings — the reducing, the effectivity, the capturing, the first-team worthy protection — can’t be changed by one participant.
With Anunoby listed day-to-day, when the video games are each different day, the Knicks should be cautious. In the 2024 playoffs, Anunoby had a hamstring pressure that value him the entire second spherical towards the Indiana Pacers earlier than I tried to return again for that collection’ Game 7.
Up 2-0 within the collection, New York can afford to be affected person. But if Anunoby’s harm worsens and he misses an prolonged interval, the Knicks don’t get out of the East. Their offense would not work with out their chemistry with Towns and their protection falls aside. Giving him what quantities to no less than 5 days off appears prudent.
Bontemps: Anunoby’s standing is crucial query of the collection — much more than Embiid’s. Anunoby has been New York’s finest participant and simply among the best within the playoffs to this point.
He’s a weapon that Philadelphia would not have a clear reply for at both finish of the court docket, because of its spectacular mixture of dimension, power and pace.
It may not present up on TV, however anybody who has been round Anunoby in individual can inform you simply how bodily imposing he’s. Philadelphia, a comparatively small crew exterior of massive males Embiid and Andrew Drummondmerely would not have anybody able to tangling with Anunoby’s physicality. We’ve seen groups use “questionable” liberally in these playoffs (for instance, Aaron Gordon, Immanuel Quickley and Franz Wagner), in order that designation from the Knicks might be difficult to decipher.
Can Towns keep out of foul bother?
Bontemps: Early returns are a convincing “No.” It was fascinating to see Towns guarding Embiid to start Game 1, a technique that felt like a recipe for catastrophe when Towns instantly picked up two within the first 5 minutes. Towns has been glorious in these playoffs however have to be on the court docket to have an effect. As lengthy as Maxey and Embiid proceed attacking Towns, this downside will not go away for New York.
Goodwill: Nope, and the Knicks higher work round it. In eight playoff video games, Towns has picked up no less than 4 fouls in 5 of them. It’s an enormous purpose why the 76ers’ offense has made Towns’ vulnerability its No. 1 precedence. Towns has performed solely 34 minutes twice up to now, so coach Mike Brown is aware of he has to platoon Towns with Robinson.
Even although Towns has a propensity for foolish fouls, he is an underrated rim protector. Sixers coach Nick Nurse can be clever to place Towns in each pick-and-roll in Game 3, versus simply posting Embiid. Give Towns choices to make in area and see how the Knicks rotate.
Where can Embiid returning make the most important distinction?
Goodwill: We are assuming rather a lot in the case of Embiid’s mobility, if he is on the market in any respect. Towns took benefit of the area supplied by Embiid to launch a few 3s. When Embiid closed out, Towns drove with ease.
Since Towns has confirmed to be extra facilitator than quantity scorer within the Knicks’ playoff offense, holding Embiid at or close to the rim — each to preserve his restricted vitality and mitigate danger in him being concerned in so many pick-and-rolls — might be the very best use of his time.
The 76ers should not dump it right down to him as a lot as they did within the collection towards Boston. Embiid can rating from wherever, so utilizing him to release area for Maxey, Edgecombe and Paul George means they will not lack for scoring.
Bontemps: Embiid’s largest influence might certainly be that defensive presence on the rim. He had a whole lot of success at that finish towards Boston all through Philadelphia’s collection comeback, and by way of two video games the 76ers have merely not been the identical defensive unit. The Knicks are capturing 42-for-61 (68.8%) within the restricted space by way of the primary two video games. Drummond particularly has struggled as a rim protector whereas absorbing loads of Embiid’s minutes.
The different apparent means Embiid will help is by giving Philadelphia one other offensive possibility past Maxey. With Embiid sidelined, Maxey performed all however 72 seconds in Game 2. That merely is not sustainable. Philly can spend a couple of minutes, significantly early in every half, dumping the ball into Embiid to get baskets, draw fouls and decelerate the sport.
What’s the most important factor you are watching shifting ahead within the collection?
Bontemps: What will be Robinson’s function? It’s been a bit shocking how minimized he has been in these playoffs. He has performed solely 13 minutes per recreation, and Brown has been fast to sit down him each time the “Hack-A” technique has been employed, first by Hawks coach Quin Snyder within the first spherical and then by Nurse in Game 1.
If Anunoby misses Game 3, it will be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Brown will get Robinson extra concerned by slotting him into an enormous beginning lineup. Robinson can save Embiid, doubtlessly limiting Towns’ foul points. The transfer would permit Robinson to be within the recreation early in quarters and restrict the usefulness of sending the profession 50.8% free throw shooter to the road.
Philly’s minutes totals will even be fascinating as this collection unfolds. Nurse all the time performs his guys a whole lot of minutes, however coming off a seven-game collection, and with Embiid’s standing unsure, it stays to be seen if that is a sustainable technique with video games coming each different day for the following week-plus.
Goodwill: Paul George. In concept, he must be brisker than most everybody on this collection. That’s not an inexpensive shot referencing his 25-game suspension. He merely would not have a full season of damage and tear. And earlier than the Knicks’ physicality obtained to him in Game 2, George reminded the league that he might go on a heater. He was 5-for-9 within the first half, with three 3s. Perhaps that’s an excessive amount of religion put in a 36-year-old with a historical past of postseason letdowns. But he has been very environment friendly in his first playoffs as a 76er (47.9% from the sector, 52.5% from 3.) If Anunoby misses any time, the door opens for George to take extra of a major function within the offense.
George’s minutes are up from the common season, so he might be feeling that with the every-other-day schedule. But given all of the 76ers’ different questions, and with Game 3 primarily a must-win, wouldn’t it be clever to empty the tank with George as nicely?
