Jalen Brunson had just wrapped up his highest-scoring playoff game ever, marking the Knicks’ highest playoff score by a player. But what impressed him more than his performance was the Knicks fans’ takeover of the arena in Philadelphia.
Despite being in the opponent’s territory, they made their presence felt and affected Joel Embiid’s performance.
Scoring a career playoff-high of 47 points and dishing out 10 assists, Brunson led the Knicks to a 97-92 victory over the 76ers, giving them a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
While Brunson had scored 41 points for the Dallas Mavericks against Utah in 2022 and another high-scoring game for the Knicks against Miami last year, this win was especially significant as it kept the Knicks alive in the playoffs.
Brunson, a former Villanova player familiar with passionate fan bases, acknowledged the relentless and passionate nature of Philadelphia fans. However, he found it particularly special to see and hear the strong support for the Knicks in a city known for its dedicated sports fans.
Embiid had to endure the chants of “MVP! MVP!” directed at Brunson, overshadowing his own performance and reminding him of the strong presence of Knicks fans in Philadelphia.
Despite acknowledging the loyalty of their own fans, Embiid expressed disappointment at the situation, especially considering Philadelphia’s reputation as a passionate sports city.
However, Brunson’s exceptional performance couldn’t be ignored, as he surpassed Bernard King’s scoring record from 1984. With additional contributions from OG Anunoby, who also played a pivotal defensive role against Embiid in the fourth quarter, the Knicks edged closer to securing a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Embiid’s struggles with injuries, including a recurring issue with his left knee and a recent diagnosis of Bell’s palsy, affected his performance in the game, despite playing the entire second half.
Embiid talked about how his competitive spirit pushed him to keep playing hard, even when things weren’t going as planned. Despite his efforts, the 76ers couldn’t secure the win.
He had a good performance with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Maxey also contributed 23 points for the team.
Although some players like Hart and DiVincenzo struggled to make shots, the Knicks capitalized on their missed opportunities, particularly by securing offensive rebounds.
Thibodeau emphasized the importance of offensive rebounds, considering them as valuable as scoring opportunities.
Brunson, who had a strong presence throughout the game, returned in the fourth quarter to make a crucial basket over Embiid, contributing to the Knicks’ lead. While Embiid had an impressive performance in Game 3 with 50 points, Brunson emerged as the standout player in Game 4, finishing with 18 of 34 field goals made.
Brunson struggled with his shooting in the previous games in New York, but he’s found his rhythm now. He scored 39 points on Thursday, reminding everyone of his scoring prowess, which ranked fourth in the NBA this season.
Embiid put in a valiant effort to keep the 76ers in the game, especially with legendary players like Julius Erving and Allen Iverson watching from the sidelines. However, he appeared fatigued in the final moments, missing all five of his fourth-quarter shots.
The Knicks faced some setbacks with injuries to key players like Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic. Despite this, they leaned on their remaining players, with Anunoby, Hart, and Brunson logging heavy minutes.
Although the 76ers had a strong start and led by 10 points after the first quarter, they struggled offensively when Embiid took a break. New York took advantage of this opportunity and went on a 12-2 scoring run in the second quarter, tying the game at 29 after Brunson’s basket.
