The New York Knicks lead the Eastern Conference semifinals 2-0 against the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of Game 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Key injury questions—most notably OG Anunoby’s right hamstring—could materially alter New York’s two-way balance. Philadelphia’s lineup uncertainty around Joel Embiid will shape how aggressively the Knicks attack the paint and blitz Tyrese Maxey. The outcome of Game 3 will hinge on health, how the Sixers handle Maxey under pressure, and the continuing paint advantage that has favored New York through the first two games.
Key Takeaways
- The Knicks lead the series 2-0 and host Game 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
- OG Anunoby is listed questionable with a right hamstring strain; he has averaged 21.4 points on 62% shooting in the postseason.
- The Sixers were without Joel Embiid in Game 2; they are 1-3 in the playoffs when he has been unavailable and 3-2 when he has played.
- New York has outscored playoff opponents by 19.4 points per 100 possessions through Game 2 of the conference semifinals.
- Over the two games, the Knicks have outscored the Sixers by 52 points in the paint (114-62); Knicks paint shooting is 57-for-82 (69.5%).
- The Sixers have taken only 39.9% of their shots in the paint in this series, down from 49.6% in the regular season and 43.3% in the first round.
- Knicks blitzing of Maxey jumped from 16% of screen actions in Game 1 to 41% in Game 2; when blitzed they have still produced efficient offense (1.16 points per chance).
Background
The Sixers reached Game 3 facing a 2-0 deficit after losing both opener games to the Knicks. Philadelphia rallied from a 3-1 hole in the first round against a No. 2 seed, showing resilience, but the matchup with New York presents different stylistic challenges. The Knicks have emerged as one of the league’s hottest teams over the last three weeks and, through Game 2, sit among the top offenses in playoff efficiency measures.
Health has been a recurring theme this postseason for both clubs. Embiid’s availability has correlated with Philadelphia’s outcomes, while New York’s depth pieces—most notably Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby—have influenced rotations and matchups. Coaching adjustments and small-ball choices have shifted repeatedly in the series as both teams search for answers.
Main Event
Game 2 highlighted New York’s dominance in the paint and overall two-way execution. The Knicks converted at an unusually high rate inside, producing 114 points in the paint across two games while limiting the Sixers to 62. New York’s trio of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns combined to go 31-for-40 (77.5%) near the rim over the two contests.
Philadelphia’s offense sputtered at times—most notably a stretch in Game 2 when the Sixers managed just 12 points on 21 possessions in the fourth quarter. That late-game scoring drought left them unable to close a double-digit deficit. Even when the Sixers generated perimeter shots, the minutes without Embiid changed how they could defend and attack on the interior.
Tyrese Maxey has been a focus of New York’s defensive game plan. The Knicks increased blitzing on ball screens for Maxey from 16% in Game 1 to 41% in Game 2. That tactic produced some efficient results for Philadelphia earlier in the series, but New York’s rotation and closeouts improved in Game 2 to limit second-chance advantages from those blitzes.
Analysis & Implications
If OG Anunoby cannot play, the Knicks’ perimeter defense and spacing shift notably. Anunoby’s postseason shooting (21.4 points at 62% overall and 54% on 3s) has been a major driver of New York’s offense, but his value on defense—switching, contesting catch-and-shoot attempts and guarding primary ball-handlers—is at least as vital. Without him, minutes will be redistributed among Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet, which could invite different matchup problems and isolation opportunities for Tyrese Maxey and others.
Joel Embiid’s status will determine how the Knicks choose to allocate defensive resources. With Embiid available, New York may be less likely to double Maxey aggressively because Embiid’s presence demands attention inside. Conversely, Embiid’s absence effectively shrinks Philadelphia’s interior deterrent, allowing New York to attack the paint more confidently—a trend already visible in the two-game paint disparity.
Blitzing Maxey has been a mixed proposition for the Knicks. When Philadelphia executes from the blitz—moving the ball and finding the corner—it can generate high-value looks and 4-on-3 opportunities. Game 2 showed both sides: the Sixers produced quality corner triples and rotation-driven chances, but late in Game 2 Maxey was forced into quicker decisions that reduced Philadelphia’s advantage. The Sixers should look to speed up reads when blitzed and get the ball to shooters before Knicks recover.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Knicks (2 games) | Sixers (2 games) |
|---|---|---|
| Points in the paint | 114 | 62 |
| Paint FG (makes/att) | 57-for-82 (69.5%) | — |
| Combined A/N/T paint FG | Anunoby/Bridges/Towns 31-for-40 (77.5%) | — |
| Share of shots in paint | — | 39.9% (series), 49.6% RS |
| Free throw points | 33 | 48 |
The table highlights the acute inside advantage New York has held through two games. Knicks paint efficiency (69.5%) is historically high and contrasts with Philadelphia’s reduced reliance on interior attempts. Free-throw scoring has partially offset the paint gap for the Sixers—48 points at the line—but it has not erased New York’s interior conversion edge.
Reactions & Quotes
“Paint scoring has tilted the series in New York’s favor through two games.”
NBA Stats (league data)
“Series health and matchup control will determine the next stretch.”
Team injury reports / postseason coverage
“When Maxey is blitzed, quick ball movement creates corners and high-value chances for Philadelphia.”
Game analysis from league coverage
Unconfirmed
- Joel Embiid’s availability for Game 3 remained officially uncertain at the time of publication; teams listed him questionable for the contest.
- OG Anunoby’s ability to log his usual minutes is unconfirmed while he recovers from a right hamstring strain.
- Mitchell Robinson’s game-time status was listed as probable after missing Game 2 with an illness; his projected minutes and impact are pending final clearance.
Bottom Line
Game 3 will likely set the tenor for the rest of this series: a Knicks win puts Philadelphia in a deeper hole and makes a comeback far more difficult, while a Sixers victory can restore home-court pressure and momentum. The X-factors are largely physical—OG Anunoby’s hamstring and Joel Embiid’s availability—as well as tactical: how often New York chooses to blitz Maxey and whether Philadelphia can restore efficient interior offense.
Expect coaches on both sides to tinker with matchups and timeout usage to influence end-of-game possessions. If Philadelphia cannot increase its share of paint attempts and convert at acceptable rates, the Sixers will need exceptional shooting from distance or significantly improved free-throw production to overcome New York’s interior strength. Fans should watch the injury reports and early rotations after tipoff; those first nine minutes should reveal the adjustments that decide Game 3.