Jalen Brunson, Knicks hold off 76ers in thriller, take 2-0 series lead

The New York Knicks survived a back-and-forth battle at home, riding a 26-point performance from Jalen Brunson to edge the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 and take a commanding 2-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal, with the series now shifting to Philadelphia for Game 3.

A Record-Setting Thriller

The intensity of the contest made NBA history, featuring 25 lead changes and 14 ties—the most lead changes in a playoff game in 11 years. Neither team could pull away, with the score remaining tight until the final minutes before the Knicks secured the victory.

Resilience Without Embiid

Despite the absence of their star center Joel Embiid due to injury, the 76ers displayed fierce resilience, pushing the Knicks to the limit on their home floor. Philadelphia battled valiantly without their franchise player but ultimately fell short by six points.

The Knicks now hold a 2-0 series advantage. Historically, teams that take a 2-0 lead in a playoff series advance 94% of the time. New York is just two wins away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals.