Scenes from a bruising Embiid performance in Game 3

In Game Three, Round One of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, the New York Knicks battled the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. As predicted, this was a highly contentious affair. Through the first half, Joel Embiid was a dangerous wrecking ball, hellbent on ending someone’s career, and 17 fouls were whistled, including two Philly fragrants. The Knicks won the first and second quarters and led in all the counting categories to take a 58-55 halftime lead.

The second half told a different tale. Tyrese Maxey, who received the Most Improved Player award before the game, cooked up 10 of his 25 points in the third quarter. The Sixers would win Q3 43-27, and then Embiid was an unstoppable force in the final frame, making almost every shot he took. No miracle finishes tonight. Final score: Sixers 125, Knicks 114.

Only two players had ever scored 50+ points against the Knicks in the playoffs. Joel Embiid is now the third. He scored 50, a new personal best postseason record, and collected eight rebounds. His shooting was remarkable, making 13-of-19 from the field, 5-of-7 from deep, and 19-of-21 from the charity stripe. Maxey, his partner-in-crime, added 25 points on 9-of-21 shooting.

For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson played 45 minutes and finished a 39-point, 13-assist double-double on 13-of-27 shooting. Josh Hart contributed 20 points, six boards, and six assists, and OG Anunoby added 17 points, four rebounds, and two stocks.

Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 14 points and four rebounds and was plagued by foul trouble the entire game. Donte DiVincenzo scored just five points and missed all three of his three-point attempts. Mitchell Robinson took a physical beating from Embiid in the first half and missed the second half with a sprained ankle. His absence was felt, for sure, and if he’s unavailable for the next few games, the Knicks’ 2-1 series lead could be in real jeopardy.

First Half

Philadelphia clearly had residual hurt feelings from Game Two’s contentious outcome. Tonight’s affair was chippy from the jump. Early on, a flagrant foul that Kyle Lowry committed on Donte DiVincenzo (a wind-up and whack to the face that drew blood) was promptly followed by an offensive foul in which Joel Embiid kneed Isaiah Hartenstein in the groin.

Just a minute later, Embiid, who had fallen to the floor, dangerously pulled Mitchell Robinson down with him, which resulted in the game’s second flagrant foul. Embiid used his 280 lb body as a weapon early in the game, ‘accidentally’ diving onto Robinson’s ankle when the latter had fallen at the other end. DiVincenzo gave the big fella a piece of his mind and multiple players joined in to exchange words. Salty stuff!

As for what basketball was played? Jalen missed his first two shots, but connected on a three-pointer to give the Knicks an early lead. The Philly Floppers retaliated with buckets from Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre, Jr, both of whom had been inconsequential so far in the series. Hartenstein was 4-of-5 on his first floaters of the game but collected two quick fouls that led to a Robinson substitution midway through the frame. The two teams traded leads throughout. New York made four of their first six three-pointers for a 29-27 lead by quarter’s end.

The Sixers made all five of their field goals to start the second quarter, but the Brunson Burner was heating up, having shot 7-of-15 from the field (3-of-4 from deep) through the first half. Robinson had been questionable before the game due to an ongoing ankle issue, and he was a hurting puppy in Q2. It didn’t help that Embiid plowed into him every chance he got. Embiid had three fouls (two offensive) by midway through the second quarter. The reigning MVP could end someone’s career playing like that.

Due to two coach’s challenges, three video reviews by the referees, and 17 fouls called, the first half was a slow-moving affair in which neither team could find a rhythm. OG Anunoby scored on back-to-back buckets, as did Embiid. With Hartenstein in the penalty box and Robinson hurt, Precious Achiuwa made his first appearance of the postseason with about three minutes remaining. Embiid took the ball right at him, but Precious worked Embiid like a pro, keeping his arms straight up and forcing him into a bad shot. That’s our Knick!

DiVincenzo scored on a burly dunk and a floater to give the Knicks a 58-55 halftime lead. Through two quarters, New York led in all the important categories:

• Field goals: 24-of-50 (48%) to 19-of-43 (44%)
• Three-point shooting: 7-of-14 (50%) to 5-of-17 (30%)
• Rebounds: 20-19
• Assists: 15 to 9
• Second-chance points: 11 to 7
• Points in the paint: 30 to 20
• Fast-break points: 10 to 5

Brunson and Embiid had 17 points apiece to lead all scorers; Anunoby and Maxey both added 11. For as hampered as he was, Robinson led in the rebounding column with seven.

Second Half

Robinson went back to the locker room to have his ankle tended to. The sprain would keep him out for the rest of the game.

The Flaming Cheesesteaks came out of intermission swinging, mounting a 16-8 run. Maxey scored 10 of those. The home team scored nine unanswered points, Embiid hit back-to-back threes, and the Knicks fell behind by 10. Josh Hart, the hero of the series so far, responded with back-to-back triples to keep the game from getting out of control.

In the third quarter, the Sixers shot 9-of-12 from deep, scored 43 points, and finished with a 98-85 advantage.

Achiuwa started at center for the Knicks to kick off the final frame and rewarded his coach’s confidence with an emphatic jam. When Deuce McBride swished a three-ball, the Knicks seemed to be gaining momentum with Embiid and Maxey taking breathers, but a Bogey pass bloopered out of bounds, Deuce blew a bunny, and New York could afford no such follies with a double-digit deficit.

Hartenstein was having a rough night, picking up his fifth foul with about eight minutes left and having a -20 plus/minus at the time. Philly pushed their lead to 15 as Embiid hit threes with aplomb and set his new career high for a playoff game. Quite a performance by him, both physically and theatrically.

Back to back threes by OG Anunoby brought the Knicks back within single digits, but little else was going right. Jalen passed the rock directly to Nic Batum, Isaiah missed a put-back layup, and Embiid couldn’t miss from beyond the arc, in the lane, or at the line. As the clock wound down, it certainly looked like the visitors would need another miracle finish to escape with a victory. Not this time. Ball game.

Up Next

Game Four will be played in Philadelphia on Sunday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.

Box Score