A Rematch Two Years in the Making: 76ers vs. Knicks Game 1 Preview

It’s hard to imagine that a few months ago, the 76ers would be in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but here we are. After coming back down 3-1 against the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia heads up to the city that doesn’t sleep to take on the New York Knicks for the second time in three seasons.

The last time the teams met in the postseason was in 2024. Their rosters have changed. Philadelphia added Paul George and VJ Edgecombe, whilst the Knicks added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. The two teams should have a fair showing of what it was like two years ago and what this series brings to the table.

The Sixers are riding on their momentum from Joel Embiid, who recently came back from his appendectomy and has looked like the best player on the court in the four games he played against Boston. The Knicks are coming off defeating the Atlanta Hawks in six games, including a 51-point trashing in the clinching Game 6. Both teams come in as evenly matched, and there is a chance Philadelphia can finally make its way out of the second round for the first time in 25 years.

Get Embiid Going Early

Embiid has been the best player on the 76ers since returning from his appendectomy, and he’ll look to continue his pace here in Game 1. Getting him started early will be the biggest thing for this team. Embiid is currently averaging 28/9/7 during the playoffs and can punish anything in his way. 

Embiid has also been shooting from multiple angles this postseason, including from three and the midrange. If Joel can use his ability to create points from anywhere on the court, the Knicks will have a hard time stopping him. He also has some history with Anthony-Towns. If he can get into his head, it helps him out as well as the rest of the team, as it’ll keep the Knicks from loading off onto Tyrese Maxey.

Win The Glass

The Knicks ranked fourth in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage in the regular season, and New York has a big edge if they can turn misses into second-chance points. In Game 1, that’s what the Sixers will have to stop. They’ll need Embiid, Andre Drummond, and Adem Bona if needed to grab as many rebounds as they can.

They showed in the first round that failing to secure a rebound left them exhausted, which gave Boston the edge for an easy three way too many times. Mitchell Robinson is also an excellent rebounder, and although he’s coming off the bench, he could provide New York the spark it needs to go on a scoring run with just a singular offensive rebound. 

The Bench Needs More Production

The Knicks have much better options coming off the bench this series, including Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, and Miles McBride, to name a few. Meanwhile, the only reliable option the Sixers have been getting off the bench is Quentin Grimes.

Not every player can play 45 minutes, and in Game 1, the Sixers will have to show they can get good minutes and points from their bench pieces. Grimes can’t be the only guy scoring off the bench, and Drummond only shoots corner threes. Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and Bona will also have to chip in for Game 1. If George or Edgecombe can sit for five to six minutes while the bench gives them 10 to 12 points, now the Sixers have put themselves in a manageable position for when the starters come back in, as they can tack on more and be able to put Game 1 to rest. 

Game 1 is scheduled for Monday at 8:00 PM at Madison Square Garden, and can be viewed on NBC. 

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