Jalen Brunson torches 76ers as Knicks extend playoff dominance in Game 1 blowout

Key Points:

• The New York Knicks dominated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their playoff series, winning 137-98 and marking their fourth consecutive postseason victory by 16 or more points, with a combined 135-point margin over the last four games—an NBA playoff record.
• Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 35 points, shooting efficiently and energizing the Madison Square Garden crowd, while four Knicks starters scored in double figures and shot at least 50% from both the field and three-point range.
• The Knicks showcased strong team shooting, hitting 64% from the field and 54% from three-point range, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby contributed significantly despite Towns’ early foul trouble.
• Joel Embiid, returning after an appendectomy and limited in recent games, struggled against the Knicks' defense, finishing with 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting, as the 76ers appeared fatigued following a grueling seven-game series against the Celtics.
• Philadelphia’s offense faltered overall, shooting 41% from the field and being outrebounded 39-28, with only Paul George providing notable scoring support; the 76ers must recover quickly ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday to remain competitive in the series.