Camille Naredo

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals on December 13, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals on December 13, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE   Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Garrett Ellwood / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

New York Knicks v Orlando Magic: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 - Semifinals

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778125457342AFP__20251213__2251174625__v1__MidRes__NewYorkKnicksVOrlandoMagicEmiratesNbaCup2025S.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals on December 13, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File" width="960"/>Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals on December 13, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garrett Ellwood, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File</div>NEW YORK -- Jalen Brunson spearheaded a late surge as the New York Knicks edged a razor-tight NBA playoff clash against the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday.Having been thrashed in game one, the underdog Sixers were without star man Joel Embiid, who was ruled out with multiple injuries just hours before tip-off.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/7/nba-sixers-injury-blow-as-embiid-out-of-knicks-clash-0154">READ: Sixers injury blow as Embiid out of Knicks clash</a></div>But they put up a much fiercer fight at Madison Square, in a game featuring 25 lead changes -- the most for a playoff game in 13 years -- before the Knicks pulled decisively clear in the final minutes.Brunson&#x27;s clutch play -- including eight fourth-quarter points -- ensured victory, with the Knicks talisman joint top-scoring on 26 points.&quot;It&#x27;s a playoff basketball game. You know, the game was ugly offensively,&quot; said Knicks coach Mike Brown.&quot;You give the Sixers a lot of credit. We knew that they were going to come out, they were gonna be physical.&quot;The Sixers started brightly, taking a seven-point lead five minutes into the game that would prove to be the largest of the night.In Embiid&#x27;s absence, Tyrese Maxey stepped up with 15 points in the second quarter alone, as Philadelphia eked out a single-point half-time lead. Veteran Paul George was deadly from range, with five three-pointers.But the Knicks&#x27; Karl-Anthony Towns came alive after the break, scoring 20 points plus 10 rebounds and seven assists, while OG Anunoby went 9-of-17 from the field for his 24 points.With the scores level 99-99 and five minutes to go, Brunson applied the pressure just as the Sixers ran out of steam, losing their shooting touch.Two Brunson field goals gave New York a four-point lead -- their biggest of the night to that point -- before Mikal Bridges&#x27; step-back shot made it a 9-0 run and a six-point lead.Maxey made a late driving layup -- finishing with 26 points -- but it was not enough to close the gap.&quot;We played good enough defense to win that game, especially in the fourth,&quot; said Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse, who bemoaned his team&#x27;s ability to score late in the game.&quot;We played great offense. We just didn&#x27;t shot-make.&quot;The absence of Embiid, the 2023 league Most Valuable Player, ultimately told for the Sixers, who now face a steep uphill battle to reach the next round.Embiid had been a key figure in the Sixers&#x27; upset of second-seeded Boston in the previous round, averaging 28 points in four games as the Sixers recovered from a 3-1 deficit.But he was ruled unable to play due to right hip soreness and a right ankle sprain, leaving the Sixers sweating on his fitness for Friday, when the series continues in Philadelphia.

Jalen Brunson spearheaded a late surge as the New York Knicks edged a razor-tight NBA playoff clash against the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday.

Jalen Brunson spearheaded a late surge as the New York Knicks edged a razor-tight NBA playoff clash against the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Wednesday.

NBA: Brunson steers Knicks to 2-0 lead with tight win over Sixers

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NBA: Brunson steers Knicks to 2-0 lead with tight win over Sixers

Agence France-Presse

Published May 07, 2026 11:44 AM PHT

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