Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and dished nine assists in Philadelphia on Friday night, leading the New York Knicks to a 108-94 win over the 76ers and a 3-0 series lead. New York is now one victory from its first best-of-seven sweep since 1999.
The Knicks did it without OG Anunoby, who sat out Game 3 with the right hamstring strain he suffered late in Game 2. Anunoby remains day-to-day, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Without their most complete two-way forward – averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in these playoffs – New York leaned on Brunson and Mikal Bridges, who added 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, to handle business on the road.
Brunson Answers Every Philadelphia Run
Philadelphia made repeated efforts to rally throughout the game, closing the gap on several occasions. Each time, Brunson was the answer – a pull-up mid-range, a drive-and-dish, a trip to the free-throw line. His nine assists reflect a game managed with confidence, not urgency. The Knicks never felt threatened for long stretches despite operating shorthanded.
Joel Embiid, returning from injury for the Sixers, did not change the dynamic. New York answered every Philadelphia run and pulled away in the fourth quarter, extending the series deficit to a nearly insurmountable 3-0 margin.
What 3-0 Actually Means
The Knicks have won six consecutive playoff games, a streak that began in the first round. No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit in a best-of-seven series. If New York closes it out, the Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a generation.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
