After a memorable Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the Sixers have their backs to the wall and must win at home against the Knicksto give themselves a chance to qualify in a Game 7.
The problem is that Jalen Brunson (41 points, 12 assists) did not hear it that way and, well supported by the Donte DiVincenzo (23 points, 7 assists, 3 blocks), OG Anunoby (19 points, 9 rebounds) and others Josh Hart (16 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists), the leader sends new York in the conference semi-finals for the second year in a row!
Joel Embiid (39 points, 13 rebounds) struggled on the side of Philadelphiawith the help of Buddy Hield (20 points), he still has to lose prematurely in the playoffs, at the end of a series which kept all its promises from start to finish.
Jalen Brunson and Joel Embiid assume their status
It’s the Knicks who have the best start, and what a start! Between the penetrations of Jalen Brunson and the long-distance missiles of Donte DiVincenzo or Josh Hart, the New York players are unleashed and, despite Joel Embiid, they already take around twenty points in advance, before the duo Cameron Payne – Nicolas Batum did not wake up the Sixers thanks to a few 3-pointers (36-22).
Philadelphia doesn't stop there behind the arc and, this time, it's Buddy Hield who (finally) makes the talk from afar with his… five award-winning shots over the period! Add to it the impact of Joel Embiid in the paint and the New York attackers who are disillusioned, with only Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein providing points near the circle, and you get a completely revived match, with downright change of leader (54-51).
Unbreathable until “money-time”…
The crowd at the Wells Fargo Center is hot and the Sixers take the opportunity to keep control of the match, in the wake of a great Joel Embiid, who alternates 3-point successes and points in the paint or on the throwing line – francs. Opposite, the Knicks rely on the elusive Jalen Brunson, surrounded by his usual valiant soldiers like OG Anunoby, to hang on as best they can to the score and finally manage to reset the counters to zero, twelve minutes from time. term (83-83).
The tension is at its height, the two teams no longer let go of each other, but it is New York which begins to gradually take control, still led by a Jalen Brunson in a state of grace, at 3-points, mid- distance or in the paint. Tyrese Maxey finally shows up at the right time and he responds to an “and-one” from Brunson with an “and-one”… before Josh Hart makes the killer 3-pointer, 24 seconds from the end! He can raise his arms to the sky and, after a game of free throws and a final failure from Buddy Hield, Philadelphia surrenders at the end of the suspense in a very… New York atmosphere (118-115).
TO REMEMBER
– New semi-final for New York. As in 2023, the Knicks are in the second round and this is the first time since 1999-2000 that they have made two conference semi-finals in a row. This time, they will find the Pacers, in a poster that smells of the 1990s and, on paper, Jalen Brunson's teammates will start favorites, even if they will have to be wary of this inexperienced but unpredictable Indiana team .
– Jalen Brunson stronger than Joel Embiid. The two leaders of the Knicks and Sixers went blow for blow throughout the evening, but it was ultimately Jalen Brunson who had the last word on Joel Embiid. Author of 40 points in the last three games of the series, unheard of in New York since Bernard King in 1984, the leader confirms his excellent current form and, like a boss, he pulls his entire group to the top and seems capable to take him very, very far. We can't wait to see his duel with Tyrese Haliburton in the next round…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
