NBA playoffs 2026: What will decide Knicks-76ers Game 3 and beyond?

As of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals between new York Knicks And philadelphia 76ers On Interstate 95 for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, there’s a lot to analyze.

Philadelphia is trying to bounce back from its second straight 2-0 loss against a division rival that has bounced back from 3-1 against them. boston celtics In the first round. There are health questions on both sides: 76ers center joel embiid (hip, ankle) and nix wing OG Anunoby (hamstring) and guard josh hart (Thumbs) Questionable for Game 3. Michelle RobinsonJoe missed Game 2 due to illness, probable.

And then there’s the crowd. Two years ago, the three games played in Philadelphia during the first round felt like Knicks home games for significant stretches — so much so that Embiid publicly urged home fans not to sell their tickets and let Knicks fans into Xfinity Mobile Arena this weekend.

It all shapes up to be what should be two fun games between two of the league’s oldest franchises. Will the Knicks stay hot? Can Philly get on board? Here are five things to watch in Game 3 and beyond.

What have we learned from the two Knicks-76ers games?

Bontemps: That demonstration in New York against atlanta hawks There was no coincidence. The Knicks effectively slammed the door on the Hawks in Games 4, 5, and 6 of their first-round series after losing Games 2 and 3 by a combined double-digit, leading the Hawks to shut out the rest of the way, including ending the series in record fashion.

The Knicks had another great performance in Game 1 against Philadelphia Jalen BrunsonClutch shotmaking proved to be the difference in the final minutes of Game 2. So far, the Knicks have clearly been in the league in the East playoffs, and Anunoby’s position should be the clear favorite to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

Goodwill: Did it feel like the Knicks were waiting to unleash this new brand of offense until later? For as desperate a time as they might have been, the offense certainly seemed effortless, as if they had been practicing it for some time. carl-anthony town Putting on his best Sabonis impression of passing (Arvydas or Domantas, take your pick) and not having to be a 25-point scorer to be effective is certainly a revelation.

If nothing else, the Knicks are keeping Brunson from getting tired late in games. compare to tyreese maxi And VJ EdgecombeJoe looked to be out of gas in the last six minutes of Game 2, unable to maintain the pace and athleticism that put them on the verge of stealing home-court advantage on Wednesday night.

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Stephen A.: The Knicks need OG Anunoby to reach the Finals

Stephen A. Smith explains why OG Anunoby’s injury is an even bigger headline than the Knicks’ win in Game 2 vs. 76ers.

How might the series change if Anunoby misses time?

Goodwill: The Knicks have been in fine health this season and are the only playoff team left with all five starters playing at least 65 games. It speaks to continuity, and what Anunoby brings – cutting, efficiency, shooting, first-team worthy defense – cannot be replaced by one player.

With Anunoby listed as day-to-day, the Knicks need to be careful when games are every other day. In the 2024 playoffs, Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain, leading to a loss in the second round. Indiana Pacers Before he attempted to come back for Game 7 of that series.

Leading the series 2-0, New York can be patient. But if Anunoby’s injury worsens and he misses a long period of time, the Knicks may not be able to get out of the East. Without his chemistry with Towns, their offense doesn’t work and their defense suffers. It seems wise to give him at least five days leave.

Bontemps: Anonoby’s status is the most important question in the series – even more so than Embiid. Anunoby has been New York’s best player and one of the best in the playoffs so far.

He is a weapon that Philadelphia has no clear answer to on either end of the court due to his impressive combination of size, strength and speed.

It might not show on TV, but anyone who has been around Anunoby in person can tell you how physically imposing he is. Philadelphia, a relatively small team outside of Embiid and the big men andre drummondThere is simply no one who is able to hang with Anunoby’s physicality. We’ve seen teams use “questionable” liberally in these playoffs (for example, Aaron Gordon, Emmanuel Quickly And franz wagner), so that may make it difficult to understand the designation from Nix.

Can cities stay away from dirty trouble?

Bontemps: The initial return is a resounding “no”. It was interesting to see Towns guarding Embiid to start Game 1, a strategy that felt like a recipe for disaster when Towns immediately picked up two picks in the first five minutes. Towns has been excellent in these playoffs, but he needs to be on the court to make an impact. As long as Maxi and Embiid continue to attack Towns, this problem won’t go away for New York.

Goodwill: No, and the Knicks do a better job around it. In eight playoff games, Towns has committed at least four fouls in five of them. This is a big reason why the 76ers’ offense has made Towns’ vulnerability its No. 1 priority. Towns has only played 34 minutes twice so far, so coach Mike Brown knows he’ll have to platoon Towns with Robinson.

Even though Towns has a tendency to commit silly fouls, he is still an underrated rim protector. Sixers coach Nick Nurse would be wise to include Towns in every pick-and-roll in Game 3 rather than just posting up Embiid. Let Towns make the decisions in space and see how the Knicks rotate.

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Perkins: You can’t win championships with Embiid as the franchise face

Kendrick Perkins says on “First Take” that the 76ers can’t win a championship with Joel Embiid as one of the faces of the franchise because of his injury history.

Where could Embiid’s return make the biggest difference?

Goodwill: When it comes to Embiid’s mobility, we’re assuming a lot, if any, is there. Towns took advantage of the space provided by Embiid to launch some 3s. When Embiid stopped, Towns drove with ease.

Since Towns has proven to be more of a facilitator than a volume scorer in the Knicks’ playoff offense, keeping Embiid at or near the rim — to conserve his limited energy and reduce the risk of getting involved in so many pick-and-rolls — might be the best use of his time.

The 76ers shouldn’t let him down as much as they did in the series against Boston. Embiid can score from anywhere, so he can be used to free up space for Maxey, Edgecombe and paul george This means that they will not be short of scoring.

Bontemps: Embiid’s biggest impact may actually be his defensive presence at the rim. They had a lot of success against Boston during Philadelphia’s return to the series, and through two games the 76ers simply haven’t been the same defensive unit. The Knicks are shooting 42-for-61 (68.8%) from the restricted area over the first two games. Drummond in particular has struggled as a rim protector, sucking up a lot of Embiid’s minutes.

The other obvious way Embiid can help is to give Philadelphia another offensive option beyond Maxey. With Embiid sidelined, Maxey played all but 72 seconds in Game 2. This is not sustainable at all. Philly can spend a few minutes, especially at the beginning of each half, getting baskets, drawing fouls and dumping the ball to Embiid to slow the game down.

What’s the biggest thing you’re looking forward to as the series moves forward?

Bontemps: What will be Robinson’s role? It’s a bit surprising how underrated he has been in these playoffs. He has only played 13 minutes per game, and Brown has immediately sat him whenever the “Hack-A” strategy has been implemented, first by Hawks coach Quin Snyder in the first round and then by Nurse in Game 1.

If Anunoby misses Game 3, it will be interesting to see if Brown gets Robinson more involved by inserting him into a larger starting lineup. Robinson can guard Embiid, potentially limiting Towns’ foul issues. The move would allow Robinson to enter the game in the early quarters and limit his utility in sending the 50.8% career free throw shooter to the line.

Philly’s total minutes will also be attractive as this series unfolds. Nurse always plays a lot of minutes with his guys, but after the seven-game series, and with Embiid’s status uncertain, it remains to be seen if this is a sustainable strategy with games coming every other day for the next week-plus.

Goodwill: Paul George. In theory, he should be fresher than most people in this series. This is no cheap shot referencing his 25-game suspension. He doesn’t have a full season of wear and tear. And before the Knicks’ physicality got to him in Game 2, George reminded the league that he can go on the heater. His shooting was 5 of 9 in the first half, with three 3s. Perhaps that’s too much confidence in a 36-year-old player with a history of postseason failures. But he has been very efficient in his first playoff debut as a 76er (47.9% from the field, 52.5% from 3). If Anunoby misses any time, it opens the door for George to take on a primary role in the offense.

George’s minutes are up from the regular season, so he may be feeling that way with an every-other-day schedule. But given all the other questions the 76ers have, and the must-win Game 3, would it be wise to drain the tank with George as well?