Ben Stiller missed Game 1 of the Knicks' series to attend the Met Gala.
A staple of Celebrity Row at Knicks playoffs games had another NYC commitment Monday night — but it didn’t stop him from officially submitting his prediction for the series.
Ben Stiller, whose fandom and presence at the Garden has been well-documented across their recent playoff runs, attended the Met Gala with his wife, Christine Taylor, as the Knicks hosted the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
As the couple walked up stairs and someone shouted about the Knicks, the actor and director helped up six fingers to signal his pick for the Knicks to advance after six games in a rematch of the thrilling first-round series two years ago.
During that series, Stiller took a jab at Kelly Oubre Jr. on X after the 76ers guard called out Celebrity Row at the Garden by saying, “They’re gonna give celebrities those $100,000 [worth of] free tickets just to be there and not care about the game.”
“Oh I think I care a lot more than you think that you thought I cared…” Stiller wrote on X at the time. “Kelly Who-bre?”
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor are pictured at the Met Gala on May 4. Getty Images
Last year, Stiller and actor Timothée Chalamet even made trips to Detroit and Indianapolis when the Knicks faced the Pistons and Pacers, respectively, in the playoffs, and most recently, during their Game 5 win over the Hawks last series, Stiller sat between Taylor and Kylie Jenner — with the latter also sitting next to Chalamet, her boyfriend.
Stiller, who donned an orange tie at the Met Gala, also defended his Knicks fandom on social media earlier Monday, after one user — in an unrelated Knicks thread — questioned the legitimacy of his fandom and another wondered why he wasn’t posting on social media during the franchise’s low points before their recent surge.
Ben Stiller is pictured at the Met Gala on May 4. Screengrab via X/@ESPNNBA
“My fandom didn’t start when twitter was invented,” Stiller wrote in an X reply. “Tweets don’t equal fandom ask Spike. I’ve been a fan since 73. Lived in LA 92-2012.. my posting is not indicative of my commitment to the team. Ask Ron Baker. Or Lou Amundsen. Or Henry Bibby or Mike Glenn. Or Bernard King or Louis Orr or Spencer Haywood.. ( i don’t actually know them personally but I love the Knicks).”
Ben Stiller is pictured during the Knicks’ April 28 playoff game. Getty Images
Stiller will have the chance to attend at least one more home game during the Eastern Conference semifinals, with the Knicks hosting the 76ers in Game 2 on Wednesday before the series shifts to Philadelphia.
Games 5 and 7, if necessary, would be May 12 and 17, respectively.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has been cleared to play Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, returning 10 days after hyperextending his left knee.
Edwards was expected to miss at least the first two games of the series in San Antonio, but the 6-foot-4 guard expedited his rehabilitation to play in the opener.
“He's in,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said 90 minutes before scheduled tipoff.
Finch said Edwards will be on a minutes restriction, but said he was unsure if the 24-year-old will start or come off the bench.
‘Obviously, the way he’s moving and just what percentage of himself does he look like," Finch said in regards to the player's minutes. “Of course, obviously, but he’s looked really pretty good and I’m sure he’ll be a little winded at times, but I know he’s excited and we’re proud to have him back.”
Edwards was cleared to participate in team activities Saturday and upgraded to questionable on Sunday's injury report. He was a full participant in the morning shootaround and was cleared to play following pre-game workouts Monday.
“It will be fun to compete against him,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “I’m glad he’s playing.”
The Timberwolves also lost Donte DiVincenzo in Game 4 to a torn right Achilles tendon, but won the next two games against the Nuggets to advance.
Edwards was not in attendance during Game 6 while receiving treatment for his injury.
“He loves to play the game,” Finch said. “We dodged a bullet when it happened. He’s done an incredible job. Our medical staff has done an unbelievable job of getting him to this point. And he was super motivated by the fact that we were able to get that first series. I think that was kind of a little bit of an inspiration for him too, just gave him something to work towards.”
Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games during the regular season. He averaged 36.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds in three games against San Antonio this season.
The Spurs were preparing to play against Edwards leading up to the series opener, even though his status was in doubt.
“A player that level in a way takes a lot of the thinking out because you know there is only a handful of players in this league to that level, so you know their game,” Johnson said.
The Timberwolves were 2-1 against the Spurs during the regular season.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, named the Defensive Player of the Year on April 20, missed the opening game against Minnesota during the regular season with a left calf strain. Wembanyama averaged 34 points and 8.0 rebounds in two games against the Timberwolves, including 39 points in a 126-123 victory on Jan. 17 in the regular-season finale between the clubs.
San Antonio will be without rookie forward Carter Bryant, who sprained his right ankle during practice leading up to the series.
Minnesota will be without Ayo Dosunmu, who is out with right calf soreness.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars looks on against the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While everyone’s focused on the NBA Draft lottery Sunday, the actual players making that such an exciting event will get their first official evaluations as NBA prospects in the coming days as well. It’s all happening in Chicago starting Sunday.
The NBA Draft combine will take place from May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in the second city. A G-League combine will also take place in the same location from May 8-10. Last week, the NBA announced it invited 73 players to the event…
The NBA announced today that 73 players have been invited to the AWS NBA Draft Combine 2026, which will take place May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the AWS NBA G League Draft Combine 2026,… pic.twitter.com/9w2ncpacCe
Already, there’s been some additions and subtractions. As it stands now, the following seven players are continually being mocked in Brooklyn’s pick range, which is anywhere from the top selection to No. 7:
AJ Dybantsa
Darryn Peterson
Cameron Boozer
Caleb Wilson
Darius Acuff Jr.
Keaton Wagler
Kingston Flemmings
Each member of what you might call (we are) the “magnificent seven” will be in Chicago to run through drills and scrimmages, have their measurements taken, undergo medical exams, and participate in interviews. All but the medical exams and interviews will be publicized and ranked. Last May, two players who ultimately wound up with Brooklyn topped the vertical leap (Drake Powell) and shuttle run (Grant Nelson) categories with the North Dakota 7-footer setting the combine record in the event.
In addition, at the end of next week, agents will invite team reps to so-called “agent days” where their clients will also run through drills. It was at one of those days last year that Egor Demin took a big leap after hitting 16 straight threes in 35 seconds, which went a long way toward dispelling the notion that he couldn’t shoot.
The combines will, of course, be supplemented by workouts and interviews at HSS. The league has strict rules on how how often teams can work out players but the workouts can take place as late as the morning of the first round of the Draft, June 23.
The Nets also have two second rounders this year — their own (no. 33 overall) and that of the Los Angeles Clippers (no. 43 overall), an off-shoot of the Mikal Bridges trade. With those picks out of the first round and well past the lottery, there’s a far wider gap of prospects Brooklyn could select with both picks. However, for pick no. 33, the latest mocks have Brooklyn taking:
Luigi Suigo, Mega (Bleacher Report) 7’2” C.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (The Athletic) 6’9” SF
Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor (No Ceilings) 6’5” SG
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt (Yahoo!) 6’0” PG
For pick no. 43, the mocks are projecting Brooklyn to take:
Well, it did once. Almost half a century ago. We’ll get to that.
This wasn’t quite as much fun as winning Game 7 in Boston, but we’ve got a job to do and the stats won’t wait. So here we go with our 10 worst 76ers stats off one of the ugliest losses in franchise history.
SECOND-WORST LOSS EVER: The 76ers lost 137-98 to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, and just like that all the good vibes from their Game 7 win in Boston two nights earlier evaporated. The 76ers came up one point short of the worst playoff loss in franchise history, a 40-point loss to the Celtics (121-81) in Game of their 1982 Eastern Conference Finals series at Boston Garden. It’s the 9th-worst Game 1 loss in any series in NBA history. It was the Knicks’ 2nd-biggest playoff win ever. They beat the Hawks 140-89 on Thursday.
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A DISASTER: After losing Game 1 and Game 4 of the Celtics series both by 32 points, the 76ers are now only the second team in NBA history to lose three playoff games by 30 or more points in the same season. It happened just last year, when the Nuggets lost a game to the Lakers by 34 but won the series and then lost games to Oklahoma City by 43 and 32 points in that series. The 76ers have lost 10 playoff games in franchise history by at least 30 points – three of them in the last 16 days.
THAT’S PROBABLY TOO MANY POINTS: The Knicks’ 139 points are the 2nd-most the 76ers have ever allowed in a playoff game. They lost 156-120 to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks in 1970 in Game 3 of their Eastern Division series at the Spectrum. The 137 points are the 2nd-most the Knicks have ever scored in the postseason, behind only those 140 against the Hawks 2 ½ weeks ago.
THE MINUS FIVE: For the first time in franchise history, five 76ers were minus-20 or worse in a playoff game. Tyrese Maxey was minus-28, Paul George minus-26, Kelly Oubre minus-25 and Joel Embiid and Quentin Grimes were both mimus-24.
THIS OUGHT TO BE IMPOSIBLE: Adem Bona played just four minutes but picked up five personal fouls. That ties the “record” for fewest minutes played in the postseason by a player who committed five fouls. In 2022, Dewayne Dedmon of the Heat had five fouls in four minutes in a game against the 76ers in Miami.
A FIRST FOR JOEL: Joel Embiid finished with 14 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes. Embiid has played 64 career playoff games and this was the first time he’s ever played a postseason game with fewer than 15 points and fewer than five rebounds. It was only his 10th such game including the regular season and third when he played at least 20 minutes. Last time he didn’t have 15 or 5 and played 25 minutes was in the 2024 regular season against the Knicks at MSG, when he had 13 and three in 26 minutes.
AT LEAST HE WENT TO ‘NOVA: Jalen Brunson scored 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field and 3-for-6 from 3. He’s the first player in 26 years to score 35 points against the 76ers in a playoff game while shooting at least 67 percent from the field an 50 percent from 3. The only other player to do that was Jalen Rose with the Pacers in 2000, with 40 points on 16-for-23 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3.
THIRD TIME IN OVER 50 YEARS: The 39-point loss was the 76ers’ 5th-worst ever to the Knicks, including the regular season. But it wasn’t their worst in 2026. They lost by 49 points at home in February (138-89). But in the last 50 years they’ve only lost one other game to the Knicks by 39 or more points and that was a 48-point loss (130-82) at the Garden in 1994.
THEY HAD 74 POINTS AT HALFTIME: The Knicks’ 74 points at halftime are the 2nd-most the 76ers have ever allowed in the first half of a playoff game. In 1970, they allowed 77 in that 156-120 loss to the Bucks. It was the Knicks’ 2nd-biggest first half ever in the postseason behind an 83-point half in Atlanta last week.
WHERE DID THE DEFENSE GO? The Knicks made 19 of 37 shots from 3 for 51 percent. That’s the highest 3-point shooting percentage vs. the 76ers in a playoff game in 18 years, since the Pistons were 9-for-16 for 56 percent in a 100-77 win at the Wachovia Center in Game 6 of their 2008 Eastern Conference First-Round series. Their 51 percent shooting from 3 was the Knicks’ 4th-highest ever in a game when they attempted at least 20.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls hired Atlanta Hawks executive Bryson Graham to lead their front office on Monday, hoping he can turn around a struggling franchise.
Graham takes over as Chicago’s executive vice president of basketball operations after the organization fired Arturas Karnisovas a month ago. He spent this season as Atlanta’s senior vice president of basketball operations after a 15-year run in New Orleans’ front office that saw him rise from intern to general manager. He had a hand in the Pelicans drafting Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Dyson Daniels in recent years.
Graham reunited with Nickeil Alexander-Walker in July when Atlanta acquired him from Minnesota. He averaged 20.8 points and was the NBA’s Most Improved Player. The Hawks went 46-36 before losing to New York in the first round of the playoffs and posted their highest win total since the 2015-16 team finished 48-34.
“This is one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional basketball, and I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to deliver results for this city and these fans,” Graham said in a statement. “My entire career has been built on the belief that sustained success starts with finding the right players and developing an all-around impactful culture.”
The Bulls fired Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley in early April after six years and one postseason appearance. They went on to finish 12th in the Eastern Conference at 31-51 while missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Graham will need to hire a new coach. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf had hoped to retain Billy Donovan. But the Naismith Hall of Famer opted to resign after six seasons, avoiding a potentially awkward situation with new management.
“He has worked his way up through basketball operations from the ground level, and that experience has given him a deep understanding of how to build and sustain a successful organization,” Michael Reinsdorf said. “He is an effective communicator, a disciplined and thoughtful decision-maker, and someone who truly connects with players and people. He understands today’s league, today’s players, and what it takes to develop talent and build a winning culture. Just as important, Bryson is committed to building a high-level group around him.”
Graham inherits a team with two promising young stars in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, two first-round draft picks and the salary-cap space to make big moves this offseason. But the Bulls haven’t been serious contenders in the Eastern Conference since Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the opener of the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia.
Chicago’s lone playoff appearance under the previous regime was during the 2021-22 season, when the team led by Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan finished sixth in the Eastern Conference at 46-36 and got knocked out by Milwaukee in the first round. The Bulls lost point guard Lonzo Ball to a knee injury during that season, and he missed the next two years.
Chicago’s most recent all-star was DeRozan in 2023.
Karnisovas refused for years to launch a major rebuild and give the Bulls the best shot at the No. 1 pick, stressing patience and not skipping steps, before pulling the trigger this year. He made seven trades prior to the deadline, dealing Nikola Vucevic to Boston, Kevin Huerter to Detroit, Coby White to Charlotte and Chicago product Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota.
The Bulls mostly got second-round draft picks in return. They also acquired Jaden Ivey from Detroit, only to waive him following anti-LGBTQ+ comments about religion he made in videos posted on his Instagram account.
Graham, who’s from San Antonio, played at Texas A&M from 2006 to 2009 before joining the Aggies’ staff as a graduate assistant. He was hired as an intern in New Orleans by then-GM Dell Demps prior to the 2010-11 season.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown had a lot to get off his chest.
Less than 24 hours after suffering elimination at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in a first-round series Boston led 3-1, Brown took to Twitch. On Sunday night, he opened up about several topics — most tied to the team’s historic Game 7 loss, the first time in franchise history the Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead — without mincing words.
Brown averaged 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists against Philadelphia, finishing the series with 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in Game 7 following his campaign for league MVP consideration. He also said he has no regrets about how the season turned out, calling it the most “fun” he’s had in his career.
During the stream, Brown pulled up highlights and replayed several critical moments from Game 7. He also mentioned that going forward, viewers can expect more basketball-focused breakdowns on his livestreams.
He began Sunday night’s debrief with a familiar gripe he’s carried throughout the season.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during introductions prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NBA officiating
Brown led the playoffs with 10 offensive fouls, twice as many as the league’s runner-up (Jalen Duren, Karl-Anthony Towns, Neemias Queta, Stephon Castle).
“I was complaining about officiating, rightfully so,” Brown said. “Because our team finished dead last in getting calls. I was vocal about it, I got thrown out some games, etc. And they keep saying it’s a push off and stuff like that. You know how many players do that? That’s a common basketball play. Every player does it, so why are you targeting me? They clearly had an agenda. Maybe because I spoke and was critical of the refs in the regular season.”
In the regular season, Brown was called for 40 offensive fouls, second to Towns (65). He never held back, calling officials out — some by name — whenever Brown felt he or the Celtics weren’t held to the same standard as opposing teams across the league. Brown also claimed during his stream, with confidence, that officials had an “agenda” to push, linking it to the offensive foul total.
“I’ve actually spoke to some refs, and they said it was an agenda going into each game. ‘So anytime Jaylen brings his arm up, just from reputation, just call it.’ Like, Paul George does that same thing. Jaylen Brunson does the same thing. Sh*t, I can go down the list. It’s a basketball play, whether y’all believe it or not.”
Brown pointed to a play with 3:23 left in the third quarter, when George extended his right arm to create space from Sam Hauser and drilled a step-back 3, putting the Sixers ahead 79-66.
“It’s a foul on me, but it’s a good play on him. Why you think that is? I’ll let y’all fill in the blank. We got the same trainer.”
For what it’s worth, NBA referee Tyler Ford was selected for Game 7 between Boston and Philadelphia, over a month after an encounter with Brown during a March 10 game against the San Antonio Spurs led to Brown’s ejection by referee Suyash Mehta.
Joel Embiid flopping
Brown doubled down on his claim that Sixers star Joel Embiid, while dominant in the series, flopped to get to the free-throw line.
“Credit to the 76ers, credit to Joel Embiid. I still think he flopped entirely way too much,” Brown said. “Some of y’all don’t even know what flopping is. Like, some of y’all clearly don’t know basketball. You don’t know what flopping is. Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there. It’s not about drawing contact or drawing fouls. Nobody has a problem with drawing fouls. That’s a part of the game. Use your brain.”
Embiid attempted 37 free throws after returning in Game 4. Defending him became one of the biggest issues for the Celtics during the series, as coach Joe Mazzulla experimented with nearly everything to slow the 7-footer down. Boston turned to Neemias Queta, Nikola Vučević, and Luka Garza during Games 4 through 6 before giving Brown a chance in Game 7.
However, nothing worked.
Brown said Embiid routinely exaggerated contact, insisting it’s an epidemic affecting the NBA.
“It’s like when someone barely touched you, and you selling the call to make it seem like you just got shot by two police officers. Big difference. Whether you like it, don’t like it, your grandma like it, your grandma don’t like it. I don’t really care. That’s just my personal opinion on basketball. Some of y’all might disagree. Argue with your grandma. Flopping has ruined our game. Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in f**king basketball history. He flops. He knows it. This ain’t breaking news.”
Embiid shot 83.8 percent from the charity stripe against Boston.
Fourth-quarter pass to Payton Pritchard — with Neemias Queta wide open
In the fourth quarter, with under three minutes remaining, Brown and the Celtics had a chance to take the lead. Pushing in transition, Brown passed up Queta wide open under the basket and instead kicked it to Payton Pritchard in the corner instead.
Pritchard missed the critical 3-pointer, but Brown insisted it was the right decision.
“Some people would’ve rather me went to Neemi to get the two because the 3-pointers wasn’t going in,” Brown said, “but all season long I’ve been going to Payton Pritchard in the corner.”
At that point, Boston was in dire need of offense. The Celtics missed 11 of their 12 final shot attempts, including 10 straight, and shot 26.5 percent from three in Game 7 — and 33.7 percent for the series.
Brown was money from the mid-range in Game 7, leading many to wonder why he turned to Pritchard with Queta feet ahead of Embiid. He thought about it and admitted perhaps he could’ve assisted Queta instead, but remained adamant that going to Pritchard was the right decision, claiming he’d do it again “10 times out of 10.”
“Maybe I could’ve thrown it to Neemi, for sure. Maybe Embiid could’ve maybe blocked him on the back side, maybe not. But all season long, Payton Pritchard has been that motherf**ker for us — and he still is that motherf**ker for us. So I’m doing that 10 times out of 10. Y’all can go back and keep questioning my playmaking ability or whatever, but I feel like that’s what my gut was telling me.”
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talk after the game during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Credit to Sixers
Brown took a moment to give the Sixers their flowers, clarifying that Philadelphia’s series win was rightfully theirs.
“Obviously, the season didn’t end the way we want but you gotta take it on the chin,” Brown said. “Give credit where credit is due. So I don’t want to make it seem like I’m not giving them their props… I think (Tyrese) Maxey and (V.J.) Edgecombe are the future. Embiid is a hell of a player. George played incredibly well for their group, and that helped them win the series. They got better. Nick Nurse is a championship-level coach. I give my respect to Philadelphia.”
It had been 44 years since the last time the Sixers eliminated the Celtics in the postseason. Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey joked after Game 7 that he wasn’t even born when asked if he understood the gravity of what Philadelphia had pulled off in Boston.
Final reflection
Brown reiterated his final assessment of the season, labeling it “great” all things considered.
“Great season,” Brown said. “I’m extremely proud of our group. Once again, I’ve been on championship teams, I’ve been on teams going to the Finals. Honestly, this was the most fun season I’ve ever had in basketball, personally. The uncertainty of going into the season, the uncertainty of going into every game — having to fight for every game — just did something emotionally, I feel like, for all of us.”
The Celtics took their circumstance of missing Jayson Tatum for the first 62 games before welcoming him back. They welcomed aboard a handful of newcomers, rookies, and returning players with minimal experience contributing to the team. Still, they made it work for a regular season that’s already secured Mazzulla’s sincere consideration for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.
As Brown noted, Boston could’ve used Tatum’s injury as a reason to tank — and nobody would blame them. The organization shed payroll and parted ways with Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet as a result. They utilized everyone on the roster, developed a handful of reserves, and showed promise heading into next season despite their catastrophic postseason exit.
“Most people wanted us to tank. Most people still probably wanted us to tank because of the way the season turned out, but you never know how a season is gonna go. All you can ask from the players is give it your all, and that’s what this group did.”
Feb 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and forward Marjon Beauchamp (16) during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tonight, the third-seed New York Knicks host the seventh-seed Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden for Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals. A strong Knicks start could shape the series, while the Sixers look to grab a road win in hostile territory. Our heroes enter as roughly seven-point favorites, buoyed by their superior regular-season record, home-court edge, and deeper rotation. Aside from Joel Embiid’s sore hip, both teams are at full strength. Let’s get ready to rumble!
Game’s at 8 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good ambassadors of humanity. And go Knicks!
Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots over Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on April 29. The Lakers hope Ayton can deliver against the Thunder like he did against the Rockets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton bounced across the court after practice Monday wearing all black, his chains swaying, his mood jovial as he approached the media to talk about his role in the Western Conference semifinals.
"Everything has been pretty solid, just staying in my role and just doing more in my role," Ayton said. "This is the playoffs, so everybody can do more, everybody has another level. And this is the second round coming in, so I think we all deserve that little bit of increase of confidence from what we’ve done so far and the outcome from the adversity we’ve faced.
"I feel like that’s where we are right now and I think that’s what’s motivating me, as well, coming into these games. Just seeing, listening and being dialed in and seeing the results of it."
There were times Ayton was a force against the Houston Rockets in the first round. He had double figures in rebounds in four of the six games and had three double-doubles in the series. He averaged 11.8 points and his 10.8 rebounds are third-best in the postseason.
"DA's had a great season,” Redick said. “He was instrumental in us getting past Houston. I think his baseline of who he is every day for the last two, two-and-a-half months has been awesome. And I know his teammates, certainly the staff, we've all embraced him all season long. Again, he's the person that changes our ceiling the most."
Both Ayton and Marcus Smart came to the Lakers last summer, giving them a much-needed center and a defensive-minded guard. Smart said he didn’t know Ayton before they became teammates, but the two of them have bonded.
Lakers teammates Marcus Smart, left, and Deandre Ayton celebrate during Game 6 against the Houston Rockets on May 1. (Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
They sit next to each other in the locker room and Smart is the first to always encourage Ayton, to push him, to expect more out of him.
“Not his big brother, but I'm just somebody who he respects,” Smart said. “He sees [me] go out there and not only preaching, I'm actually doing what I'm preaching. I'm not just preaching, I'm out there with him, in the midst of it, battling with him, going through adversity with him, right? I think that drives a lot of respect for one another in that aspect, when you're going to battle with somebody. You’re struggling while they're struggling right there with you, trying to help you get through yours.”
The 7-foot Ayton will be going up against 7-1 Chet Holmgren and 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein. Holmgren averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the first round and Hartenstein averaged 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Ayton will have to hold his own against them and still be the force the Lakers have leaned on in the postseason.
“Playing bigger. ... Just being relentless on the glass, you know, protecting the rim as much as possible and not letting them in my paint,” Ayton said. “It's gonna be big with me protecting that paint in this series. They really generate and touch the paint. ... Them having 50-plus points in the paint, you know they're a really unstoppable team. So, I'm really just looking forward to protecting the paint as best as I can and staying on the floor as long as possible. That's about it.”
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to. He knows the crowd in Oklahoma City is like a college atmosphere and that he and the Lakers can’t get rattled.
“Yeah, you can't hear yourself,” Ayton said. “It's definitely the ‘Thunder’ for a reason, you know? Their fans are thunderous. You know, you can hear the floor shaking, the bleachers, you can't even hear a play call. And you gotta be super dialed in.
"They're the defending champs and you know their fans have been in atmospheres and hype games and you know they’re ready for their team to do their thing. So, we just gotta come in super prepared and just dial out all the noise and just come in and play together.”
Detroit lost in the first round a year ago. This season, the Pistons had the best record in the Eastern Conference at 60-22 and on Sunday defeated Orlando 116-94 to close out a playoff series victory for the first time since 2008.
In the fall of 2024, Bickerstaff took over a Pistons franchise that had posted the NBA's worst record in each of the previous two seasons, including a 14-68 record in 2023-24.
Before Bickerstaff arrived, Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA in consecutive seasons.
Detroit opens a second-round playoff series at home on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a team Bickerstaff coached from the end of the 2019-2020 season through the 2023-24 campaign.
The 2026 NBA playoffs quickly became a battle of attrition. The number of significant injuries that loom over the start of the league's four conference semifinals are proof enough.
It's not clear yet when NBA star Jalen Williams will return from injury after missing games in the Thunder's first-round series. Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, hopes to get back on the floor for the Timberwolves sooner rather than later following a hyperextension and bone bruise on his left knee that kept him out of Minnesota's final two games of their series against the Nuggets.
The injury intrigue adds to the drama with only eight teams left in pursuit of an NBA championship. Some of the league's marquee names and role players under the spotlight when the second round of the playoffs begins on Monday, May 4.
Here's one star player and one role player from each remaining team whose performance (or availability) could swing their team's fortunes during the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs:
NBA playoffs 2026: Conference semifinals players to watch
USA TODAY Sports tabbed one star player and one role player from each team remaining in the 2026 NBA playoffs whose contributions could swing their respective teams' conference semifinals series.
Luka Doncic: The availability and effectiveness of the Lakers' star is likely the key to them being competitive in the series. Doncic hasn't played in a game since injuring his hamstring in an April 2 game against the Thunder.
Jalen Williams: The Thunder breezed past the Phoenix Suns in the first round despite a hamstring injury to Williams. His status for the start of this series remains uncertain.
Marcus Smart: Assuming Austin Reaves regains his 3-point stroke, Smart's two-way presence looms large. He could be a primary defender on Shai Gilgeious-Alexander and called upon to hit 3-pointers in crunch time.
Alex Caruso: He's a defensive weapon off the bench for the Thunder with a history of raising his level of play in the postseason. He can be deployed on Doncic or Reaves depending on the situation.
Anthony Edwards: When Edwards returns from the knee injury he suffered during the first round, and how limited he is upon getting back on the court, looms over the entire series.
Victor Wembanyama: The Spurs only loss in the first round came in Game 3 when Wembanyama sat out due to concussion protocol.
Rudy Gobert: His defense on Nikola Jokic helped spur the Timberwolves to a first-round upset of the Denver Nuggets. Now Gobert is tasked with making life more difficult on Wembanyama, his countryman from France.
Dylan Harper: No Spurs player had a better NET rating than Harper during their first-round series against Portland.
Joel Embiid: The version of Embiid that played the final four games of the 76ers' first-round series win over the Celtics, combined with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, make Philadelphia a serious threat in this matchup. But will Embiid's body hold up?
Jalen Brunson: The Knicks series against the Hawks swung in Game 5 when Brunson produced a 39-point gem, and he's two years removed from averaging 35.5 points and nine assists in a playoff series win.
Mikal Bridges: He was mostly a non-factor in the first round, but came alive for 24 points in a Game 6 blowout over the Hawks. Bridges should factor heavily in the Knicks' strategy for slowing down Maxey.
VJ Edgecombe: The 76ers' rookie served as a barometer for Philadelphia in the first round. He shot 50% from the field (including 45% from 3-point range) in the team's four wins. He shot 30.2% (and went 0-for-16 from 3-point range) in three losses to Boston.
Jalen Duren: The Pistons struggled to get past the Magic in the first round, in part, because Duren hardly resembled the player who blossomed into a dominating big man this season. Maybe a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double in Game 7 was a good sign because the Cavaliers won't be as forgiving as the Magic if Duren falters again.
Donovan Mitchell: The Cavaliers needed a Game 7 to beat the Raptors because Mitchell shot 38.8% from the field and less than 28% from 3-point range over the final five games of the series. Cleveland will need his shot-making against Detroit's rugged defense.
Daniss Jenkins: Cade Cunningham needs more help on offense than Tobias Harris for the Pistons to win this series, and Jenkins showed in Game 7 by making four of his five 3-pointers against the Magic that he could be the role player to provide it.
Jarrett Allen: His third-quarter outburst in Game 7 pushed Cleveland past Toronto. The Pistons might not have the firepower inside to combat both Evan Mobley and an inspired Allen.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 27, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the first round complete, these are going to be the matchups for the second round of the playoffs.
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio | Tuesday May 12*
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota | Friday May 15*
Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio | Sunday May 17*
My Predictions
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers in 7
New York Knicks in 6
Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers in 6
San Antonio Spurs in 7.
If you want to discuss anything, you can do so below. I will update this thread as the semi-final round continues. Have at it in the comments below.
When I am not posting ridiculous trades on here you can find me talking about Nintendo, LGBT content, music, and the Lakers on my Twitter. You can follow Alexis on Twitter at @BeautifulShy_RSand on BlueSky at @msshyskye.bsky.social.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Adrian “Odie” Smith, whose Hall of Fame basketball career included a college national title with Kentucky, a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and a 10-year stint in the NBA, has died at age 89.
Smith died on April 28th, the University of Kentucky said in a statement. There was no word on how or where Smith died.
Smith played for the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) from the 1961-62 NBA season until the 1969-70 season, when he was traded to the San Francisco (now Golden State) Warriors.
The 6-foot-1 guard, who was named MVP of the 1966 NBA All-Star game, also played one season in the ABA with the Virginia Squires, finishing his pro career as a teammate of then-rookie Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
Smith grew up in rural Graves County, Kentucky, in a farmhouse without electricity or indoor plumbing. His path to profession basketball began with him tossing a homemade ball through a peach basket nailed to a tree.
His college career began at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, where his coach persuaded a Kentucky assistant to watch him, resulting in a scholarship offer from the Wildcats.
Smith played two seasons for Kentucky, averaging 10.2 points, and was one of the “Fiddlin’ Five” who brought the Wildcats a 1958 national title.
Smith served in the U.S. Army and was selected for the U.S. men's national team for 1960 Olympic Games. A year later, he began his NBA career alongside Oscar Robertson in Cincinnati.
Smith was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 along with the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
Smith is survived by his son, Tyler, and his brother, Kenny.
The Los Angeles Lakers know what they're up against.
"You want me to compare us to them? That's a championship team right there. We're not," LeBron James said of the Thunder after they beat the Lakers in February.
"I said to a bunch of people yesterday off site talking about this series, to me, the Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history," Lakers coach JJ Redick said on Sunday, via Dan Woike of The Athletic. "It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us."
Oklahoma City is the defending champion, with the reigning (and soon to be repeat) MVP, they have been the title favorites since before the season tipped off, showed no sign of a championship hangover and went out and won 64 games this season (the best record in the league), with the best defense in the NBA and a top-10 offense.
Not only did the Thunder sweep the season series from the Lakers, but they also won the four games by an average of 32.3 points. The gap between these teams was clear.
Can the Lakers pull off another upset? Do they need Luka Doncic to do that, and when might he return? We get into all of that in this preview.
When does the Lakers vs. Thunder begin?
Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder is set for 8:30 ET on Tuesday, May 5, at the Paycom Center in the heart of OKC. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Los Angeles vs. Oklahoma City Playoffs Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary). Game 1: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5 (8:30 ET, NBC and Peacock) Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 7 (9:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, Saturday, May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 11, (10:30 ET, Prime Video) *Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 13 (TBD) *Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 15, (TBD) *Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 17 (TBD)
Player to watch: LeBron James
We should be watching and savoring every chance we get to watch maybe the greatest ever to do it, because we don't know how many more of these chances we're going to get from the 41-year-old.
With Doncic out, LeBron took on the load of being the primary shot creator for the Lakers against Houston. Through the first four games against the Rockets, he impressed, as he did in Game 6. LeBron averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.9% on 3-pointers in the Lakers' four wins.
However, there were stretches — in Games 4 and 5 in particular — where he started to look like he was wearing down. That's where the return of Austin Reaves helped — he is another key for Los Angeles. The Lakers need Reaves to look like the All-Star he was early in the season.
How will LeBron hold up against physical defenders like Lu Dort in a series where the games are every other night? Can he play well enough to keep the Lakers in the series until Luka Doncic potentially returns? The Lakers are going to ask a lot of LeBron, but even at 41, he answers the call most of the time.
Keys to watch for in Lakers vs. Thunder
If/When does Luka Doncic return? Or Jalen Williams?
Behind some MVP-ballot level play from Luka Doncic this season, the Lakers had a top-10 offense in the league. Los Angeles' roster, while still in flux, was built with maximizing his skills in mind.
That said, Doncic didn't exactly thrive against the Thunder this season, averaging 15.5 points a game on 33.3% shooting (14.3% from 3) in the two games he played against them, with Dort as his primary defender. Still, Doncic is one of the five best offensive players in the league, he has a history of coming up big in the playoffs, and if the Lakers are going to have a chance in this series, they need him.
Which is why the report from ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday that Doncic is not close to returning is not good. Officially, Doncic is week-to-week. "He's doing more on the court, but still not doing full-contact workouts," Charania said. That's not a great, and if he's out for the first three or four games of this series — as it appears he will be, at the very least — the Lakers may be in too big a hole to climb out of even if he does return.
The Thunder played much of the season without Jalen Williams and kept winning, but they could use his defense (traditionally, he has gotten the LeBron assignment) and secondary ballhandling against a Lakers defense that likes to press (and may have to blitz a lot in this series). Williams is week-to-week as well, and the only update we got came from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. "He's chipping away at his rehab. He's doing a good job," Daigneault said. That said, Williams should be close.
Can the Lakers hit enough 3-pointers?
For the season, the Lakers didn't take many 3s — bottom 10 in the league — but when they did, they made a respectable 35.9% of them (14th in the league). If Los Angeles is going to keep pace with Oklahoma City's scoring this series, it needs a lot more attempts and more 3-pointers to fall.
With Chet Holmgren as the anchor, in the games against the Lakers this season the Thunder crowded the paint on defense and dared them to shoot over the top. The chances were there, but during the four meetings this season the Lakers shot 30.3% against OKC. The return of Reaves to the rotation should help, as will Luke Kennard playing well, but the Lakers need guys like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart (from the corner, ideally) to launch and make 3s, too.
Can the Lakers’ defense hold up?
The Lakers played much-improved defense as the season wore on, but stopping Oklahoma City is on an entirely different level. There's Gilgeous-Alexander, who will get downhill and either finish or draw a foul. There is Holmgren, who is 7-foot, can post up, face up, hit 3s or finish lobs at the rim. There are shooters all over the court at all times. It's a big ask for the Lakers, but they need to play their best defense, put pressure on SGA and the Thunder ball handlers like Ajay Mitchell, force some turnovers and just slow the Thunder down.
Part of slowing OKC down: The Lakers have to take care of the ball. They were inconsistent against the Rockets, and Houston picked up some easy transition buckets (but missed plenty, too). The Thunder are more of the same, but when they get the ball out in transition, they finish. The Lakers can't afford to give up all those easy points.
Prediction: Thunder in five
I was at a couple of those matchups between these teams this year, and the talent gap is too great for the Lakers to make up. The return of Luka means the Lakers might be able to push this to six games, but the Thunder are moving on.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 24: Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets plays defense during the game against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns on March 24, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s a cadence to every postseason. Teams get eliminated, and they move into the space the Phoenix Suns currently occupy. The early exit offseason. As these teams book flights to Cancun, their players become names to ponder, evaluate, and wonder whether they are what your team is missing. It’s the natural order.
The latest name catching the attention of Suns fans? Former University of Arizona Wildcat, Aaron Gordon.
I get it. I understand the appeal. Power forward has been a problem area for a while. The roster has felt undersized, and it shows up at the rim. The Suns consistently finish near the bottom of the league in finishing around the basket as well as defending it. So when a name like Gordon is linked, people start connecting dots and picturing the fit.
The reality is pretty simple. There isn’t much Phoenix can offer the Denver Nuggets that moves the needle outside of sending out young prospects. That’s not a deal that makes sense here, and therefore, this one feels dead on arrival.
What I do find interesting, however, is the verbiage provided by Brett Siegel, which states that the Suns are a “win now” team.
The Lakers, Suns, and Celtics are among the win-now teams expected to show interest in Aaron Gordon as realistic trade suitors, per @BrettSiegelNBA
“Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics are among the many win-now teams Gordon would obviously fit… pic.twitter.com/GbCHQkMsqc
And that’s where I push back. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it throughout this offseason. The Phoenix Suns are not in “win now” mode. “Win now” mode is what teams like the Denver Nuggets live in. You have an MVP-level player, you have a real path to a title, and every move is about maximizing that window and competing at the top of the Western Conference.
That’s not who the Suns are right now. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s the reality. It’s not fun to say. It’s not fun to hear. Your team is not positioned to win a championship next season.
You still have to live in reality. And once you accept that reality, you can start building a plan, both short-term and long-term. A path that puts you in a position to become one of those teams down the line. One that can actually operate in “win now” mode when the time comes.
I believe the Phoenix Suns want to run it back, hoping health swings more in their favor. Health never fully cooperates; injuries happen. Still, this team took a hit in 2025-26. Because of that, they never had enough data to truly understand who they are. We can all have our offseason conversations about what they should be and how they can operate better. That’s the fun part. I’m in that group. I don’t want to see three guard lineups. I’d bring Collin Gillespie back as a bench piece. I’d like to see Rasheer Fleming in the starting lineup, sliding Dillon Brooks to the three where he can be a defensive menace. That’s my view. Those are not moves of a team trying to “win now.”
The Suns do have desirable assets, sure. It means you’re going to hear noise from national pundits. It’s going to sound like they’re sellers, and while it would be irresponsible not to pick up the phone and hear offers, it doesn’t mean they’re actively shopping everyone.
The Suns’ priority this offseason should be continuity. Build a foundation and let it grow from a consistent place. You don’t plug in new pieces and expect chemistry to match overnight.
I’m currently watching Untold: Jail Blazers on Netflix, and one of the main takeaways from Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Bonzi Wells is how fragile chemistry can be. That team was 12 minutes away from knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. That offseason, a lot of the fringe pieces got swapped out. In came Shawn Kemp, Dale Davis, and Will Perdue. The chemistry slipped, and the team finished as a 7th seed.
That doesn’t mean the Phoenix Suns ignore the fringes. They should absolutely work those margins. But it doesn’t need to be splashy or dramatic like the national conversation wants it to be. That’s the part the fan base has to accept. When names like Aaron Gordon pop up, pay attention to the teams tied to those reports. You’ll see situations where franchises are trying to sell LeBron James on coming back, or a Boston Celtics group that just got bounced in Game 7 and sits closer to a title than Phoenix does right now. Both of those are “win now” teams as they are entering eras in which the window might be closing or is still wide open. That simply isn’t where Phoenix is right now.
Progression for Phoenix next season is clear. They need to win more games, climb the standings, and perhaps get a round, maybe two, in the postseason. That’s a win. That sets up a different conversation a year from now. Right now, this isn’t a team operating in “win now” mode. They’re building culture, leaning into continuity, and doing it in a responsible way.
This is the part of the cycle where patience feels like inaction, even when it’s the smarter play. Phoenix doesn’t need to chase noise to prove intent, it needs to define itself with clarity and consistency. Let the roster breathe, let roles settle, and let progression happen on its own timeline. If that foundation takes hold, the window everyone wants to force open now will come into focus soon enough, and it’ll actually mean something when it does.
NEW YORK — The Sixers thudded back to earth Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
Two days after celebrating a historic Game 7 victory over the Celtics, the Sixers opened their second-round playoff series against the Knicks by suffering a 137-98 loss.
Jalen Brunson starred in New York’s Game 1 win, posting 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting in 31 minutes.
The Sixers’ top scorer was Paul George with 17 points.
Joel Embiid had 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting. Tyrese Maxey scored 13 points and went 3 for 9 from the field.
Mikal Bridges scored the first points of the series with a fast-break slam. VJ Edgecombe replied with a sweet baseline jumper and also nailed a corner three-pointer in the early going.
Edgecombe had done strong work defending Brunson during the regular-season series and unsurprisingly began the night on the Knicks’ star guard. The Sixers’ other defenders on Brunson included Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes.
Brunson started out in a serious zone against whoever he saw in front of him, finding shots with subtle fakes and hesitations. He poured in 14 of the Knicks’ first 21 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Edgecombe picked up his third foul at the 4:26 mark of the second quarter when he tripped up Brunson as the two chased after a loose ball.
The Sixers will need to keep throwing different defenders and coverages at Brunson throughout the series in an effort to be unpredictable and disrupt his rhythm. They’ll also have to be better with the fundamentals of on-ball defense and try to make everything less comfortable for Brunson, from stepping into pull-up jumpers to wriggling free in the mid-range.
Short rotation doesn‘t work this time for Sixers
Embiid started 0 for 3 from the floor, although he did draw Karl-Anthony Towns’ second foul with 6:55 left in the first quarter. Mitchell Robinson entered.
The Sixers began intentionally fouling Robinson with a little under three minutes in the first quarter, aiming to exploit a widely known weakness. Robinson made a mere 40.8 percent of his free throws this year.
Back on Dec. 19, the Sixers also hacked Robinson and he had his best foul shooting game of the season, going 7 for 8. He did not replicate that Monday, starting 0 for 4. New York subbed Robinson out and briefly replaced him with Ariel Hukporti so the Sixers couldn’t keep hacking.
Despite the issue with Robinson’s free throws, the Knicks’ bench clearly outplayed the Sixers’ in the first half. Part of that was simply because Sixers head coach Nick Nurse maintained a short rotation. Grimes served as the Sixers’ sixth man. Andre Drummond and Justin Edwards totaled eight first-half minutes.
The Sixers’ lack of rest was surely relevant in Game 1. They had a single day off following a very taxing series against the Celtics. At some point, it appears Nurse will have to expand his rotation a bit, buy slightly more rest for his stars, and see if the Sixers’ bench players can provide an impactful performance or two.
The Knicks also rely heavily on their star power, but they played 11 men Monday before garbage time and kept growing their lead in the second quarter. Towns canned a three over Drummond early in the second to put New York up 49-37. The Knicks’ advantage ballooned to 23 points when Brunson sunk a second-chance three on the final play of the first half.
“They’re deep, they’re big, they’re pretty physical as well,” Grimes said of the Knicks before the Sixers’ Monday morning shootaround. “They’ve got a lot of guys who can shoot the three. … They’ve got a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things to put pressure on us at the defensive end. We’ve got to be ready to take their punches and just take care of business.”
Another nightmare Game 1
Maxey didn’t make a field goal until he converted a driving layup with 6:58 to go in the second quarter.
Bridges guarded him well and the Knicks mixed up their pick-and-roll coverages effectively. Maxey committed an uncharacteristic turnover when the Sixers ran a double drag action and he threw a high-risk pass toward the paint that Josh Hart intercepted.
Almost nothing unfolded as the Sixers would have hoped on either side of the ball. George did stay scorching from three-point range, going 4 for 6 after shooting 55 percent beyond the arc in the Celtics series.
Just like in their Game 1 and Game 4 defeats to the Celtics, the Sixers had no chance in the fourth quarter and garbage time was abundant. Nurse called timeout with 5:19 left in the third following a Bridges three that gave the Knicks a 95-65 lead.
Though the Sixers were full of self-belief after their comeback against the Celtics, it’s worth remembering that the Knicks also entered Round 2 on a three-game winning streak and eliminated the Hawks with a 51-point Game 6 victory on the road.
Monday’s result doesn’t mean the Sixers are destined to get crushed in this series. They still have dangerous stars and showed in Round 1 that they can defy conventional wisdom.
The Knicks are unequivocally another difficult opponent, however, and now the Sixers must play from behind again.
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