Knicks, red-hot 76ers set for chance to add to postseason history two years after thrilling series
The New York Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, two years after their intense first-round series. The 76ers, led by Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, overcame a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Celtics in Game 7. Both teams carry momentum into the matchup, with the Knicks having dispatched the Hawks in six games and the 76ers finally at full strength.
- ▪The 76ers defeated the Celtics in a Game 7 thriller to advance to the second round despite being the seventh seed.
- ▪Joel Embiid returned from appendicitis surgery and averaged 28 points and nine rebounds in the series against the Celtics.
- ▪The Knicks and 76ers previously met in a dramatic first-round series two years ago, which the Knicks won in six games.
- ▪Five games in the previous series were decided by single-digit margins, including a controversial flagrant foul by Embiid on Mitchell Robinson.
- ▪The Knicks eliminated the Hawks in six games, winning the final three by a combined 96 points, including a 51-point playoff-record victory in Game 6.
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NBA New York Knicks Knicks, red-hot 76ers set for chance to add to postseason history two years after thrilling series By Zach Braziller Published May 2, 2026, 11:24 p.m. ET A longtime Atlantic Division rival is standing in the Knicks’ way of returning to the Eastern Conference finals. See Also New York Knicks Knicks say they’ve tuned out the plaudits — that’s exactly how it should be It’s just not the opponent everyone expected it to be. There won’t be a rematch with the Celtics after all. Instead, it’ll be the suddenly red-hot 76ers and the Knicks in the second round, starting Monday night at the Garden. Philadelphia, the seventh seed, completed a rally from down 3-1 Saturday night, knocking off the Jayson Tatum-less Celtics at TD Garden.
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