Knicks 144, 76ers 114: New York sweeps into East finals

The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 on Sunday, May 10, 2026, finishing a four-game sweep and returning to the Eastern Conference finals. Miles McBride led all scorers with 25 points as New York set the tone early with a record-setting first-quarter 3-point display.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

New York took control almost immediately, outscoring Philadelphia 43-24 in a decisive opening period. The Knicks knocked down 11 3-pointers in the first quarter alone, an NBA postseason record, and created separation before the 76ers could settle into the game. Philadelphia had few answers for the pace, ball movement, and perimeter accuracy.

Second Quarter

The Knicks kept the pressure on in the second, adding 38 points and taking an 81-57 lead into halftime. Philadelphia improved offensively with 33 points in the quarter, but New York continued to generate efficient looks and stayed comfortably ahead. By the break, the 76ers were already facing a significant deficit and struggling to slow the Knicks’ spacing.

Third Quarter

Any hope of a Philadelphia comeback faded in the third. New York outscored the 76ers 41-26, pushing the margin well beyond reach. The Knicks continued to convert from deep and controlled the glass, while their passing kept producing open shots. That quarter effectively settled the game and turned the final period into a formality.

Fourth Quarter

Philadelphia won the fourth 31-22, but the result had already been decided. The 76ers showed better energy late, yet New York had long since taken full command. The Knicks were able to close out the win without late-game drama and begin looking ahead to the next round.

Key Performers

New York Knicks:
Miles McBride led the Knicks with 25 points, topping a balanced offensive effort that reflected how well New York shared the scoring load. Josh Hart added a team-high nine rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 17 points and 10 assists, giving the Knicks a strong interior and playmaking presence. As a team, New York shot 53.8 percent from the field, went 25-for-44 from 3-point range, and recorded 33 assists.

Philadelphia 76ers:
Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 24 points. VJ Edgecombe contributed six rebounds and a team-high seven assists, but the 76ers could not match New York’s efficiency from the perimeter. Philadelphia shot 50.0 percent overall, though its 8-for-35 mark from beyond the arc made it difficult to keep pace.

NerdSports Stat: The Knicks made 25 3-pointers while the 76ers made 8, a 17-shot gap from deep that accounted for 51 more points from beyond the arc in a 30-point game.

Game Analysis

This game was defined by shot quality, pace, and early execution. New York’s first-quarter 3-point surge changed the shape of the night right away, and the Knicks never let Philadelphia reduce the pressure meaningfully after that. Their 25 made 3s on 56.8 percent shooting from deep were the clearest separator, but the assist total was just as important. New York consistently moved the ball to the next option, finishing with 33 assists and getting contributions across the lineup.

Philadelphia’s offensive numbers were not poor on the surface. The 76ers shot 50 percent from the field and scored 114 points, which is usually enough to stay competitive. But the difference in perimeter output and rebounding told the bigger story. New York finished with a 47-30 edge on the glass and repeatedly turned possessions into extra pressure. When one team is that efficient from 3 and also controlling rebounds, the margin can grow quickly.

The Knicks also showed why they have become one of the more complete playoff teams in the conference. McBride’s scoring, Hart’s activity, and Towns’ passing gave them multiple ways to operate, and the offense remained sharp through three quarters. Even with Philadelphia playing a better fourth quarter, New York had already done the work needed to close the series emphatically.

With the win, the Knicks complete a 4-0 series sweep over the 76ers and move on to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year. New York finished the regular season at 53-29 and now carries clear momentum into the next round. For Philadelphia, the season ends after a 45-37 campaign and a difficult semifinal series in which the Knicks’ depth and perimeter efficiency consistently stood out.

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