The battle between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night was nothing short of a playoff thriller. Initially, it seemed like the 76ers had the game in their grasp, but the Knicks had other plans, orchestrating a stunning comeback to clinch a 104-101 victory and a 2-0 series lead in the first round of the playoffs
Frantic Final minute secures Knicks win
Despite facing an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter, the 76ers managed to surge ahead, taking a 101-96 lead with just a minute left on the clock. However, what followed was sheer chaos as the Knicks launched a relentless assault in the dying moments of the game.
In a frantic final minute, New York found themselves trailing by five points with only 32 seconds remaining. Donte DiVincenzo’s determined drive through the 76ers’ defense paved the way for a pivotal moment. He then swiftly passed the ball to Jalen Brunson on the left wing, who expertly evaded Tyrese Maxey’s defense before sinking a crucial 3-pointer. With that shot, the Knicks narrowed the deficit to 101-99, igniting hope among the roaring crowd at the Garden.
This pivotal moment not only shifted the momentum but also set the stage for an unforgettable finish. As the clock ticked down, the intensity reached a fever pitch, with both teams battling fiercely for every possession.
To encapsulate this gripping showdown, it’s essential to appreciate the resilience and determination displayed by both teams. While the 76ers showcased their ability to rally and seize control of the game, the Knicks demonstrated unwavering resolve and a never-say-die attitude, ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling contest.
This nail-biting encounter serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball and highlights the electrifying atmosphere of Madison Square Garden during postseason matchups. As the series progresses, one thing is certain – expect the unexpected.
The Philadelphia 76ers were in possession with a two-point lead and only 27 seconds left on the game clock. However, their attempt to inbound the ball smoothly was unsuccessful.
Tyrese Maxey struggled to control Kyle Lowry’s inbound pass, allowing Josh Hart to snatch it away. Hart swiftly passed the ball to DiVincenzo, who unfortunately missed an open 3-pointer from the wing. Yet, fate offered another opportunity.
Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed the offensive rebound and quickly located DiVincenzo for another shot at seizing the lead with a 3-pointer. This time, DiVincenzo’s shot found its mark from the top of the key, securing a crucial 102-101 lead for the 76ers.
The 76ers had a chance to level the game at the last second, but Joel Embiid’s 3-pointer bounced off the rim as the buzzer echoed, igniting a frenzy in Madison Square Garden.
Despite impressive performances from Maxey and Joel Embiid, the Knicks staged a remarkable comeback from a 9-0 deficit and a 10-point first-half shortfall to clinch victory. With a 2-0 lead, the series now returns to Philadelphia. The Knicks narrowly avoided being tied 1-1, making the win all the more significant.
The 76ers are expressing their discontent with the officiating in the final moments. A team representative informed the press that the 76ers plan to lodge a formal complaint with the NBA regarding the officiating in the first two games of the series.
Additionally, head coach Nick Nurse of the 76ers alleged that officials overlooked a timeout call during the late-game commotion.
“I signaled for a timeout,” Nurse informed reporters. “The referee glanced my way but disregarded me. The ball ended up with Tyrese. I signaled for a timeout again. That’s when the chaos erupted.
“I suppose I need to step onto the court or take some drastic action to grab his attention. I desperately needed that timeout to advance our play. It would have been crucial. But I couldn’t get it.”
The video capturing the final moments (viewable here or above) captured it all. Nurse made a vague gesture, indicating an impending timeout as Lowry struggled to inbound the ball. Then, he unmistakably called for a timeout after the inbound pass. However, by that time, Maxey had lost control of the ball, leaving it loose.
Tyrese Maxey catches fire after being cleared late
The night started much better for the 76ers. Maxey was questionable during the day with an illness and Embiid was limited with the ailing surgically repaired knee that’s bothered him since returned to the lineup late in the regular season. Both were cleared to play before tip.
Maxey looked no worse for wear. He opened the game with three unanswered 3-pointers to send the 76ers to a 9-0 lead.
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Knicks extended their lead to 90-82 and looked firmly in control with 7:43 remaining. But the 76ers weren’t done.
Led by six points from Maxey, Philadelphia mounted a 12-4 run to tie the game at 94-94. Consecutive buckets by Maxey including a 3-pointer with 1:09 remaining put the 76ers back in control with a 100-94 lead. A Lowry free throw extended the lead to 5 points with 47.1 seconds remaining.
Then the frantic final moments of the game ensued to secure the unlikely Knicks win.
Maxey and Embiid both had big games. Maxey finished with a game-high 35 points and 10 assists alongside nine rebounds. He shot 12 of 22 from the field and 5 of 11 from 3-point distance.
Embiid was clearly slowed by his knee as the game worn on and struggled at times to get up and down the court. But he finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and one block. His knee appeared to bother him in the post as he failed to secure a rebound after halftime.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ key players found little support, as Tobias Harris stood out as the lone additional scorer in double digits with 10 points and nine rebounds.
In contrast, the New York Knicks displayed a well-rounded performance, with all five starters reaching double figures. Brunson led the charge with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Hart secured a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, along with three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Notably, Hart also connected on 4 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc.
DiVincenzo contributed 19 points, fueled by hitting 4 of 8 shots from long range, while Hartenstein chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
As the series heads to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday, the 76ers are left contemplating missed opportunities.