Scenes from leaving everything on the court in a Game Five overtime loss

In Game Five, Round One of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, the New York Knicks hosted the Philadelphia 76ers with the intention of closing out the series. The Knicks delivered one of their finest defensive efforts of the season in Game Four to go up 3-1. Could they do it again to win their fifth clash with Joel Embiid and the Sixers?

New York had a rough start, missing their initial shots and managing only 17 first-quarter points. They recovered—and then some—in the second quarter with a stronger defensive performance and led at halftime, 49-43. The visitors fought back in the third and fourth, however, and forced overtime with a wild Tyrese Maxey logo three. Jalen Brunson scored all nine of the Knicks’ overtime points, but they weren’t enough. Knicks lose, 112-106.

For the Sixers, Maxey led the way with 46 points on 17-of-30 shooting and played 52 minutes. Joel Embiid played 48 minutes and collected a 19-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.

For the Knicks, Brunson scored 40 points on 15-of-32 shooting, including 4-of-11 from deep. Josh Hart added 18 points and nine boards. From the bench, Deuce McBride had shot 10-of-19 from deep through the first four games. Tonight he went 2-of-7, scoring 14. The only other bench player, Mitchell Robinson, finished with seven rebounds and five stocks (and a +2) in his 24 minutes.

With the loss, the Knicks will head back to Philadelphia on Thursday for another chance at winning the series.

First Half

The Knicks missed their first eight shots while the Sixers missed ten of their first twelve. Nothing was going right for our heroes. Donte DiVincenzo picked up two quick fouls and nearly turned over the ball on an inbound pass. The Knicks didn’t hit their first bucket until Isaiah Hartenstein swished this at the 6:30 mark. Range!

fter their ghastly start and falling behind by eight, the Knicks made each of their next seven field goals. They’d go cold again, however, missing all five of their attempts from downtown and committing four first-quarter turnovers. They would enter the second quarter down 26-17.

Jalen Brunson started the second frame with three buckets, and New York’s 11-2 run—capped by a straight-on OG Anunoby triple—knotted the score at 28 apiece at the 9:30 mark.

Earlier today we learned that Bojan Bogdanovic will have wrist and ankle surgery to finish his season. If you are worried about where New York will find bench points, Deuce McBride would like to reassure you. After a Philadelphia timeout, McBride swished two buckets for five quick points and followed that with a steal. Mitchell Robinson blocked an Embiid jumper. The Knicks’ run reached 20-5. Things were looking up!

The Knicks’ defense found another gear while Mitch punished poor Joel. Robinson took an offensive charge from the big Pennsylvanian after dunking on his head.

New York would outscore the Phillies 32-17 in Q2 and enter halftime up 49-43. They had more fast-break points (10-2) and points in the paint (18-16) but lost on the glass 23-21. It didn’t hurt that Philly had shot just 37% from the field and 6-of-22 from deep.

Brunson scored 13 of his 15 first-half points in the second quarter. He and Josh Hart both played the entire first half. For Philly, Tyrese Maxey had 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Embiid had eight points and nine boards, but the Knicks’ defense had limited him to only two free throws and 3-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Second Half

The Knicks missed a trio of triples in a rocky start post-intermission, and a 10-2 Philadelphia run gave the visitors a lead again. Maxey carried the Cheesesteaks, while Embiid committed two more turnovers, clearly discombobulated by the Knicks swarming D.

The Knicks went on a 14-8 run, including big three-pointers by all three Nova Knicks, and another two-offensive-rebound possession by Isaiah Hartenstein. There were 12 lead changes in the third quarter alone. Everyone looked gassed. New York would enter the final frame ahead, 70-69.

Maxey and Nic Batum scored five unanswered points to regain the lead and then go ahead by five. The Knicks are a team of dawgs, though, with endless effort by Deuce, OG, and especially Hart. Josh played the whole game, outhustled Philly for rebounds, and somehow found another gear when the game got late. While Joel Embiid was panting, Josh Hart put the five boroughs on this back on a sprint to the finish line.

Huffing and puffing, Embiid sat with 6:15 minutes left. Maxey had been perfect from the free throw line all series but then bricked two. Philly’s wheels were coming off, but New York looked ready to play another 48 minutes if necessary. Nick Nurse had to send Embiid back in, knowing that the game was a goner without him.

OG Anunoby had two massive steals in the fourth quarter and deflected at least that many passes. When it’s time to negotiate his contract this summer, this series with Philly has plenty of highlights to support his case.

In the clutch, Brunson, McBride, Hart, Anunoby, and Robinson were on the floor. With 16 seconds remaining, Hart made one of two free throws, giving the Knicks a three-point lead, and Maxey drilled a ridiculous 34-footer to send the game into overtime.

Jalen scored on a triple and a fearless drive to start the extra five minutes. Nick Nurse, nearly stroking out about a non-call on a Maxey drive, called for time. Philly answered with a 9-0 run to go ahead by four. Brunson drove to the rim, and Embiid raked his face for a flagrant one. Jalen made one of two, then promptly hit a three-pointer for the tie.

Oubre got a bunny to drop. Hart stepped out of bounds chasing a rebound. Hartenstein deflected a pass off of Embiid to regain possession but then missed a Brunson pass that went out of bounds. Harris was foauled with 16 seconds left and made both. That dropped the curtain. Ball game.

Up Next

On one hand, it was a heartbreaking loss. On the other: what a series! This is as good as NBA basketball gets. Game Six will be played in Philadelphia on Thursday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score