NEW YORK - The New York Knicks have secured a second consecutive berth in the Eastern Conference finals, completing a dominant sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers with a resounding 144-114 victory in Game 4 on Sunday. The decisive win was fueled by a record-setting first-quarter offensive display, a performance that underscored the Knicks' playoff momentum and left the 76ers reeling.
The Knicks established an early, insurmountable lead by setting an NBA postseason record with 11 three-pointers in the first quarter alone. This offensive explosion, combined with an NBA playoff record-tying 25 made threes for the game, overwhelmed Philadelphia.
Deuce McBride was a key offensive catalyst, dropping 25 points and sinking seven of the team's record-tying triples. The Knicks' offensive prowess was not a one-quarter anomaly; they posted 80-plus points in the first half on two occasions during their five road playoff games this season.
Read More: New York Knicks sweep 76ers with 144-114 win in Game 4
Jalen Brunson contributed 22 points and six assists, while Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 17 points. Hart also pulled down nine rebounds, and Towns dished out ten assists, showcasing a balanced attack that the 76ers struggled to contain. Notably, Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 24 points on perfect shooting from the field, but it was not enough to counter the Knicks' overwhelming offensive output.
The series sweep marks a significant achievement for the Knicks, who previously overcame a 2-1 deficit against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. They now await the winner of the series between the top-seeded Detroit Pistons and the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. The 76ers' playoff journey ends abruptly, raising questions about their future performance.
