The New York Knicks used a shocking three-point barrage to crush Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 and advance within the NBA playoffs on Sunday as Minnesota Wimberwolves held off San Antonio Spurs to degree their collection.
The Knicks matched the NBA playoffs report with 25 three-pointers, setting an early tone with a record-equaling 11 first-quarter treys and piling up a record-equaling 18 within the first half.
With their seventh straight win in these playoffs, the Knicks polished off a 4-0 sweep of the 76ers within the best-of-seven Japanese Convention semifinals.
The Timberwolves knotted their Western Convention semifinal collection at 2-2, pulling away late for a 114-109 victory over the Spurs, who performed a lot of the recreation with out Victor Wembanyama.
The French star was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid within the jaw early within the second quarter.
The Knicks reached the convention finals for the second straight yr and can face both the top-seeded Detroit Pistons or fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers for a spot within the NBA championship collection.
“One recreation at a time,” Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson mentioned after New York humbled the 76ers on their house flooring for a second straight recreation.
“I feel we nonetheless have a number of work to do and our focus must be higher,” he mentioned.
Miles McBride made seven three-pointers on the way in which to a game-high 25 factors and Brunson drained six from past the arc in scoring 22.
Six gamers scored in double figures for the Knicks, who have been with out ahead OG Anunoby for a second straight recreation with a hamstring pressure.
With the collection on the road the Knicks stormed out of the gate, scoring 43 factors within the first quarter.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse exhorted his workforce throughout one trip to remain optimistic and “play tougher.”
However with their Xfinity Cell Enviornment become hostile territory by a legion of raucous Knicks followers, the 76ers may discover no reply.
By the point the Knicks took an 81-57 lead into the break, it was just about over and so they pushed the result in as many as 44 factors enabling them to relaxation their starters within the fourth quarter.
Joel Embiid, soldiering by means of hip and ankle accidents that struck after his April appendectomy, hit all eight of his photographs and 6 of seven free throws to steer the 76ers with 24 factors.
Tyrese Maxey added 17 however the Sixers, who shocked the second-seeded Boston Celtics within the first spherical, have now didn’t transcend the second spherical since 2001.
“Fairly frankly, New York, they have been simply higher than us in all the pieces,” Embiid mentioned.
Timberwolves dangle on
In Minneapolis, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 factors in a frantic fourth quarter that featured 5 lead modifications.
Rudy Gobert transformed a three-point play that put the Timberwolves up for good, 103-101, with 3:02 remaining and Ayo Dosunmu transformed one other three-point play to push Minnesota’s result in 110-103 as they closed out the win in a recreation during which neither workforce led by greater than 9 factors.
Defensive Participant of the 12 months Wembanyama was tossed from a recreation for the primary time in his NBA profession early within the second quarter.
Bottled up by Reid and Jaden McDaniels after an offensive rebound he turned again towards Reid and jabbed his elbow, sending the Timberwolves participant sprawling.
However with 24 factors apiece from De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper and 20 from Stephon Fortress the Spurs saved themselves in it and led 94-86 with 8:51 to play.
“When Wemby acquired thrown out of the sport we got here out pondering it was going to be straightforward,” Edwards mentioned.
“However these guys are actually good even with out Wemby. So we simply needed to play arduous, and I needed to simply take it upon myself to attempt to get us a win.”
Reid completed with 15 factors and 9 rebounds, and McDaniels added 14 factors for the Timberwolves, who assured the collection will return to Minneapolis for recreation six after the Spurs host recreation 5 on Tuesday.
Printed on Could 11, 2026