Jalen Brunson, Knicks Celebrated by NBA Fans After Eliminating Joel Embiid, 76ers

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 3, 2024

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

An exhilarating and pulsating playoff series reached a frenetic finish Thursday as the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 118-115 in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup, clinching a 4-2 series victory.

Jalen Brunson paced New York with 41 points, including 14 in the final 6:25 of regulation. He also dished 12 assists, with his final one going to Josh Hart for a three-pointer to give New York the lead for good at 114-111 with 26 seconds left.

NBA @NBAJOSH HART PUTS THE KNICKS AHEAD 114-111 WITH 24 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 4Q 😱🎯

NYK advances to the East Semis with a win on TNT pic.twitter.com/IXRatqtyJy

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid responded with a layup, giving him 39 points (and 13 rebounds) on the evening.

NBA @NBAEmbiid cuts the deficit to 1 late in the 4Q on TNT!

PHI forces a Game 7 with a win pic.twitter.com/tn6VdYpapa

It was a free throw show from there, with Knicks wing Donte DiVincenzo hitting two before 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey made a pair. Brunson then connected on two free throws for a 118-115 edge with eight seconds remaining. A desperation game-tying three-point attempt from Buddy Hield then missed the mark, sending New York to the second round.

NBA @NBAKNICKS ADVANCE TO THE EAST SEMIS 🗽 pic.twitter.com/JqYP51C74p

This was been a phenomenal and tightly contested series to say the least, with fantastic individual performances and instant classic games dotting the matchup. Examples include Hart’s three-point dominance in Game 1, the bewildering Game 2 finish, Embiid’s 50-point outburst in Game 3, Brunson’s 47-point afternoon in Game 4 and Maxey putting Philadelphia on his back to take Game 5.

Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovWanna know how close this series was?

The Knicks won it 4-2 and they outscored the 76ers by 1 points over 6 games. Final score for the series:

Knicks: 650
76ers: 649

Game 6 was no exception, with a Brunson vs. Embiid duel taking place amid a seesaw matchup. New York led by as many as 22 points in the first quarter, but the 76ers stormed back to take a 54-51 halftime lead thanks largely to Buddy Hield, who made five three-pointers by intermission.

NBA @NBAANOTHER BUDDY HIELD 3⃣

He has 17 PTS going into halftime on TNT!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/gS2u3gZJSV

Philadelphia even took a 10-point lead in the third, but the Knicks starting hitting their shots again and tied the game at 83 to go into the fourth quarter after an OG Anunoby three:

NBA @NBAOG Anunoby ties it at 83-83 with a corner triple late in the 3Q!

NYK advances to the East Semis with a win on TNT pic.twitter.com/ev6xlfANI5

New York held the upper hand for much of the fourth and took a 109-101 lead with 2:43 left after an Anunoby dunk.

NBA @NBAOG ANUNOBY OH MY GOODNESS 😱

NYK leads in the 4Q on TNT! pic.twitter.com/SRZfWjCd23

But Philadelphia responded with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 111 following a Maxey three-point play.

Hart then hit the biggest shot of the Knicks’ season, and now New York has made the second round of the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2000.

Obviously, Brunson has been the catalyst for the Knicks’ success thanks to his historic outings.

Malika Andrews @malika_andrewsPlayers with 35 points and 10 assists in 3 games in a single series, per @StatsWilliams

Jalen Brunson
Oscar Robertson

End list.

NY_KnicksPR @NY_KnicksPRJalen Brunson is now the seventh player in NBA history, and just the second Knick (Bernard King – 1984) to record 40+ points in three consecutive playoff games.

BrunsonMuse @BrunsonMuseJALEN BRUNSON’S LAST 4 GAMES:

41 PTS – 12 AST – 3 REB
40 PTS – 10 AST – 4 REB
47 PTS – 10 AST – 4 REB
39 PTS – 13 AST – 2 REB

🔥🔥🔥🔥

THIS IS NEW YORK’S SUPERSTAR. pic.twitter.com/QCajY1h0SP

Afterward, fans and analysts praised Brunson and the Knicks for a tremendous outing.

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer”John, John… they said Brunson wasn’t a 1A dude!! Hahahahhaha” pic.twitter.com/7bn3GzTDCr

Ariel Helwani @arielhelwaniLETS GOOOO KNICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F me. I can’t breathe. That was way too stressful.

But man it feels good. What a series. Respect, Philly.

But let’s go Knicks!!!!!!!!!! I have lost my mind. pic.twitter.com/oSBo7fgpyN

Jerry O’Connell @MrJerryOCIf you are on the West Coast and like The Knicks, @33TapsSL is the spot. Good Game @Philly_Mays pic.twitter.com/TNSxleoV7v

Knicks Videos @sny_knicksMVP chants for Jalen Brunson in Philly 😤 pic.twitter.com/xPS6JZ7ZLM

NEW YORK KNICKS @nyknicks🗣️SAY GO NEW YORK pic.twitter.com/Vjo8KdMVSw

Ben Stiller @BenStiller👊👊👊 https://t.co/Ey2UuHJNMk

John Fanta @John_FantaJalen Brunson warned us long ago:pic.twitter.com/GFectH9JhP

BrunsonMuse @BrunsonMuseJalen Brunson.

3-straight 40 point playoff games.

Put some respect on his muthafu*kin name. pic.twitter.com/7NW5DtGNwX

Nicky Snacks @NickySnacks_Knicks

Never a doubt

KNICKS!!!!!!!!!

New York Basketball @NBA_NewYork”LET’S GO KNICKS”

In Philly

Again pic.twitter.com/aidb1IHqZT

Robert Griffin III @RGIIIJalen Brunson was SPECTACULAR with 41 points and 12 assists. Divincenzo cooked with FIVE 3’s. But the Knicks don’t advance to the 2nd round without Josh Hart’s 16 pts-14 rebs Double Double and clutch 3 in the end. The @nyknicks are feeling DANGEROUS and their fans deserve this. pic.twitter.com/fBT5zfcGyy

John Schmeelk @SchmeelkJalen Brunson is a true superstar that carries the team with his immense skill but so much of the team’s character comes from the guys around him & how hard they play. They are all junkyard dogs. They don’t quit. They makes some big plays but all the little ones. Special group.

New York will now play the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 1 will take place in New York on Monday evening.