The New York Knicks opened the 2024 playoffs with an impressive victory against Joel Embiid's Sixers 111-104 driven by a decisive Josh Hart in the fourth quarter.
The Villanova guard stood out with 22 points and 13 rebounds, including two key three-pointers in the final stretch that allowed them to open a +7-point gap on the scoreboard with just under 1 minute left.
For the first time since 2013, Madison Square Garden witnessed a victory opening the post-season with the spotlight on Joel Embiid. The center had approximately a fifty percent chance of dressing short, although it was all fireworks, as demonstrated by his first minutes of action.
Embiid was intractable with 18 of his 29 points in the first half alone. He was never seen limping from his knee operation and only one spectacular fall after a alley-oop It deprived them of a greater presence on the track.
With Embiid momentarily out, the Knicks would take advantage to open a gap on the scoreboard thanks to an 11-2 run to go up 12 points. Although everything would return to normal with the Cameroonian returning to the match to regain his advantage at the beginning of the third period.
However, the New Yorkers, and specifically their supporting cast, would save the best for last. With Brunson and DiVicenzo practically nullified on offense (11 of 36 attempts between them), Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride appeared to overcome the Sixers in the last 10 minutes.
McBride supported the attack with 21 points, and Robinson became enormous in defense, and in the rebounding task with 7 of his 12 rebounds only in the offensive section.
«His game plan was basically focused on getting the ball out of Jalen Brunson's hands. "If that was the poison they had chosen, we had to make them pay," McBride told the media. ESPN.
Brunson, who was constantly monitored by Oubre Jr. and Maxey, finished the duel with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 8/26 from the field.
Other highlights
Sixers: Embiid has been limited this season to 39 games played and has missed almost two months of competition after having surgery on his left meniscus. Still at 70% of his physical condition, it was key in the victory against Miami Heat, and last night he gave his best before causing a scare with 02:49 minutes remaining before half-time.
His were 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals through 11/12 from the personal line.
«He is really a warrior and he is fighting very hard right now. I think he really wants to play. We'll see how he feels after tonight," Nick Nurse said.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers' scoring with 33 points in 44 minutes; and veteran Kyle Lowry also added double-digit scoring with 18.
Knicks: Their secondaries were decisive in the last quarter. Bogdanovic, Robinson and McBride scored the first three baskets to give them back the lead.
Bogdanovic had 13 points and 7 rebounds in just 25 minutes; and Robinson added 8 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks.
"They were the reason we won tonight," Hart admitted. "When your best player isn't pitching well, you need other guys to do it and that's what they've done," he added.
(Cover photo: Elsa/Getty Images)