One of the best environments in sports is playoff basketball at Madison Square Garden. From the celebrity-packed front row to the passionate fans spending
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images One of the best environments in sports is playoff basketball at Madison Square Garden. From the celebrity-packed front row to the passionate fans spending their paychecks to watch their team, the energy is unmatched. When the Knicks are good, New York comes alive — orange and blue flooding the streets.
The Knicks cruised through the final two games of the first round, defeating the Hawks by 29 in Game 5 before making history with a 51-point closeout win in Game 6. With the Eastern Conference semifinals set, a matchup with the 76ers awaited. Philadelphia arrived fresh off a wild 3-1 comeback against the Boston Celtics, led by a dominant performance from Joel Embiid. The Knicks opened the series with authority, taking Game 1 at the Mecca — 137-98.
Jalen Brunson continued his playoff brilliance, pouring inon 12-of-18 shooting. He was backed by efficient scoring from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges , whose recent surge has added another layer to New York’s offense. The first quarter was competitive, with both teams trading blows. Embiid got off to a strong start, scoring eight points — six coming from the free-throw line.
But Brunson matched him step for step, dropping 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the opening frame. The Knicks dominated the second quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 41-26 to take a commanding 74-51 lead into halftime. Their confidence only grew in the second half, as they controlled the pace and overwhelmed the 76ers on both ends of the floor. By the fourth quarter, the focus shifted to the crowd.
MSG erupted into chants of “We want Kolek,” urging head coach Mike Brown to empty the bench. Brown obliged, and the second-year guard delivered a moment, knocking down a three-pointer that brought the building to its feet. Kolek would finish with eight points and four assists, making the most of his limited time. Young contributors like Pacome Dadiet and Mo Diawara followed, giving the starters well-earned rest.
Brunson’s performance added to his growing playoff legacy, bringing his total to 1,450 postseason points with the Knicks — third in franchise history. Since arriving in New York, the former Villanova star has transformed the team, emerging as the leader and catalyst behind their resurgence. History was made once again in New York. With their 39-point victory, the Knicks became the first team since 1997 to win with a 30-plus-point advantage in three straight games.
Another win on Wednesday would send the Knicks to Philadelphia in full control — with momentum, confidence, and the Garden rocking, even from miles away. Crowded NY-12 race to replace Nadler may be decided by older voters, new analysis finds Brooklyn ICE protest: Immigrant man had been violently pulled from car by feds hours before hospital chaosEpstein survivors push for state law that would let them sue his estate, hold hotels and banks liable for his crimesBrooklyn ICE protest: Immigrant man had been violently pulled from car by feds hours before hospital chaos
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