PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Brunson had a standout performance, scoring 16 of his total 38 points during the crucial fourth quarter and overtime, leading the New York Knicks to a 125-119 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Josh Hart contributed significantly with his 11th career triple-double, recording 10 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. Mikal Bridges also played an important role with 23 points, while OG Anunoby chipped in with 17, helping the Knicks avenge their previous first-round playoff defeat against the 76ers last season.
The 76ers were led by Tyrese Maxey, who scored 33 points, while Paul George added 26 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had a solid game with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams were missing their star centers, with Joel Embiid sidelined for the sixth consecutive game due to a left foot sprain, and Karl-Anthony Towns absent because of a right thumb injury.
In recent performances, the Knicks had been struggling after a solid nine-game winning streak in December, having lost five of their last seven games prior to this match. On the bench, they managed to accumulate 29 points, with Miles McBride contributing 13 and Precious Achiuwa adding 10.
The 76ers, after a promising stretch winning 10 out of 13 games starting in late November, faced difficulties lately, losing seven of their last nine games, which included four out of five at home in 2025. They continue to wait for the first complete season of games with key players Embiid, Maxey, and George all in the lineup together, still stuck at 10 games played.
A pivotal moment occurred when the Knicks missed a last-second opportunity to clinch the game, but they quickly seized control in overtime, scoring the first eight points. Anunoby ignited the run with a dunk, followed by six straight points from Brunson, including a critical 3-pointer and three free throws.
Despite trailing by as much as 16 points and not having a lead throughout the game, the 76ers managed to tie it five times in the second half, forcing overtime with a layup from Maxey with just three seconds left on the clock.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, while the 76ers are set to face another back-to-back matchup starting Saturday in Indiana.