Knicks take a 2-0 lead in stunner finisher

The Knicks pulled off a remarkable 104-101 victory in Game 2 against the Sixers, defying the odds with a stunning comeback in the final minutes.

Trailing 100-96 with just 47 seconds remaining and Kyle Lowry preparing to shoot free throws, many doubted the Knicks’ ability to turn the tide. However, Lowry missed the second free throw, giving the Knicks a glimmer of hope. With just 20 seconds left, Jalen Brunson, amidst pressure from the defense, regained possession after a remarkable hustle play by Donte DiVincenzo, who dove to secure the loose ball. Brunson then sunk a crucial three-pointer from the corner to cut the deficit to 101-99.

And then, in a moment akin to LJ’s iconic fourth-point play, another miracle unfolded on the court. With the Knicks applying intense pressure on the Sixers during the inbound pass, they forced Tyrese Maxey into a critical error, preventing him from securing the ball. In a frenzied turn of events, the ball was turned over, finding its way into the hands of DiVincenzo.

Despite his initial miss from long distance, Isaiah Hartenstein swooped in for the rebound, swiftly passing it to OG Anunoby. Anunoby then located DiVincenzo, who was wide open behind the three-point line. This time, DiVincenzo’s shot found its mark, eliciting an eruption of excitement from the MSG crowd.

Former Knick legends, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Bernard King and Carmelo Anthony were in awe.

The intensity of the play was palpable, so much so that Mike Breen shouted his trademark catchphrase twice: “BANG! BANG!”. With just 13 seconds left to play, the Knicks seized the lead, 102-101, adding to the suspense of an already electrifying game.

“Isaiah Hartenstein is the hero of the Knicks with his 14 point, 8 rebound performance! He had both the game-winning offensive rebound that led to DiVincenzo’s game-winning 3 AND the block on Tyrese Maxey that secured the victory!”

– Magic Johnson on X

With just 13 seconds left on the clock, the Sixers called a timeout with hopes of reclaiming the lead. However, Tyrese Maxey’s attempt to drive coast-to-coast was thwarted by Hartenstein’s defensive effort, and OG Anunoby secured the rebound before sinking two free throws to seal the Knicks’ victory, leaving the Sixers stunned as the final buzzer sounded.

On the stat sheet, Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Josh Hart contributed 21 points and an impressive 15 rebounds, including four three-pointers. DiVincenzo added 19 points, connecting on 4 of 8 shots from beyond the arc.

The Knicks established a commanding 90-82 lead in the fourth quarter, but their momentum was halted when the Sixers embarked on an impressive 18-6 run. This surge was fueled by Tyrese Maxey, who showcased his scoring prowess by contributing 15 of his total 35 points in the fourth quarter alone. Maxey’s stellar performance included a clutch three-pointer with just 1:08 left on the clock, propelling the Sixers ahead by four points.

Despite being questionable before the game and having missed the morning shootaround due to illness, Maxey delivered an outstanding overall performance. In addition to his scoring output, Maxey demonstrated his versatility by tallying 10 assists and securing 9 rebounds throughout the game.

Maxey made an immediate impact by scoring the first 9 points of the game with three consecutive three-pointers. His early offensive contributions set the tone for the Sixers’ performance and established him as a formidable threat on the court.

On the other side, Joel Embiid, who was also questionable prior to the game, rose to the occasion with an impressive 34-point performance. Despite refraining from attempting to dunk again, Embiid shot 12-29 from the field. However, he encountered difficulties from long distance, converting just 2-9 of his three-point attempts.

In the third quarter, the Knicks outscored the Sixers 30-21. Late in the third quarter, they seized their first lead of the game, edging ahead 74-72 on a two-point shot by Hartenstein, marking a pivotal moment in the game.

Despite facing a deficit of as many as 10 points with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first half, the Knicks displayed resilience and determination. They managed to trim the deficit to 53-49 by halftime, showcasing their ability to rally and compete.

Throughout the first half, the Knicks encountered difficulty finding their rhythm on offense. However, they were buoyed by the exceptional performance of Josh Hart, who contributed 19 points in the first half, shooting an impressive 4-5 from beyond the arc.

In the fourth quarter, Bojan Bogdanovic, who had struggled in the first half, emerged as a catalyst for the Knicks. Despite only playing for 3 and a half minutes, Bogdanovic delivered two consecutive crucial three-pointers, propelling the Knicks to an 85-78 lead.

The Knicks demonstrated balanced scoring throughout the game, with all starters contributing double-digit points and the bench adding 16 points, highlighting their depth and versatility on offense.

Jalen Brunson endured another challenging shooting night, yet the entire Knicks team rallied together and elevated their performance to secure the victory. Despite Brunson’s struggles, the team collectively stepped up and delivered when it mattered most.

“The one thing about this team is no one really cares who’s doing what, who gets the credit for what, we just want to go out there and win.”

– Jalen Brunson

In contrast, the Sixers heavily relied on the scoring contributions of Maxey and Embiid, with Tobias Harris being the only other Sixer to reach double-digit points. Their bench struggled to make an impact, scoring a total of 10 points.

The Knicks dominated the paint, outscoring the Sixers 40-27 in that area, showcasing their interior presence and ability to control the game in the key areas.

Up-next: The two teams will meet for Game 3 on Thursday in Philly. Game starts at 7:30pm.