Knicks 108, 76ers 102: New York Takes 2-0 Lead

The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, with Jalen Brunson leading New York with 26 points in a Game 2 result that pushed the Knicks to a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Opening Summary

Philadelphia carried the early edge and led for much of the night, but New York stayed within reach and finished with the stronger closing stretch. The Knicks shot 50.6 percent from the field, matched the 76ers at the foul line with 21 made free throws, and held Philadelphia to just 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

The 76ers opened efficiently and took a 33-31 lead after one quarter. Tyrese Maxey helped Philadelphia set the pace early, while the Knicks kept contact behind balanced scoring and avoided letting the opening burst become a double-digit problem.

Second Quarter

New York made up a point in the second, outscoring Philadelphia 30-29. That trimmed the halftime margin to 62-61, keeping the game within one possession. The Knicks were productive inside the arc and continued to get enough half-court offense to stay close despite Philadelphia’s strong perimeter shooting.

Third Quarter

Neither side separated in the third. Both teams scored 28 points, leaving the 76ers in front 90-89 entering the final period. It was a steady, back-and-forth quarter that set up a closing stretch where execution and late-game defense would decide the outcome.

Fourth Quarter

The game turned decisively in the fourth, when New York outscored Philadelphia 19-12. The Knicks tightened up defensively, finished possessions more cleanly, and got the timely scoring they needed from Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Philadelphia’s offense stalled late, and New York took control in the final minutes to come away with the win.

Key Performers

Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 26 points to lead New York and share the game-high scoring mark.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in one of the most complete all-around performances of the night.

Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: 26 points and 6 assists, providing Philadelphia’s top offensive production.

Paul George, 76ers: 19 points and 6 rebounds, helping the 76ers stay in front through three quarters.

NerdSports Stat: Philadelphia scored 90 points through three quarters and just 12 in the fourth, meaning the 76ers produced only 11.8 percent of their total offense in the final period.

Game Analysis

This result came down to efficiency and late-game control. New York shot 40-for-79 from the field and generated 25 assists, showing consistent ball movement even on a night when its three-point shooting was modest at 7-for-26. The Knicks did not need a big perimeter volume game because they were better overall inside the arc and converted at a higher rate across the full game.

Philadelphia had advantages in rebounds, 39-37, and three-pointers, 13-7, but the 76ers could not maintain their offensive flow in the fourth quarter. After scoring at least 28 points in each of the first three periods, they were limited to 12 in the final frame. That shift erased what had been a one-point lead entering the quarter.

Towns’ all-around production stood out as a stabilizing factor for New York. His 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists gave the Knicks a frontcourt creator who helped connect possessions, while Brunson handled the lead scoring role. For Philadelphia, Maxey’s shot creation kept the pressure on, but the Knicks’ defense was more effective when the game tightened late.

Closing Context

With the win, New York now leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0. The Knicks also improved their overall record to 53-29 after holding serve at home, while Philadelphia dropped to 45-37 and now heads back needing a response in Game 3 to avoid a deeper series deficit.

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