Preview: New York Looks to Close Out Series Against Philadelphia in Game 4
On May 10, in Game 4 of the NBA playoff series, the New York Knicks could complete a sweep against the Philadelphia 76ers. After a convincing 108-94 win in Game 3, the team led by Brunson has every chance to end the series early.
Main Event
On May 10, 2026, the New York Knicks are one step away from advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the team could complete a sweep—a clean 4-0 victory. The game will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 PM Eastern Time.
The Knicks enter the game with a comfortable 3-0 lead after a convincing 108-94 win in Game 3. In NBA history, no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in a playoff series—this statistic includes 157 such situations, and in every case, the leading team closed out the series. The Knicks have a chance to become the first team since 1999 to win a best-of-seven series in a sweep.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown, after Game 3, jokingly compared his reliance on Brunson to Linus's blanket from the Peanuts comics: "I'm Linus. Jalen is my blanket." This joke reflects reality: as long as the point guard is on the court, the Knicks feel invincible.
Details and Statistics
The series against Philadelphia has turned into a showcase for Jalen Brunson. In Game 3, the point guard scored 33 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists in 38 minutes on the floor. He made 11 of 22 field goals, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc, and hit 8 of 9 free throws. His three-pointer from the top of the key in the fourth quarter was part of a 9-0 run that ultimately dashed the home team's hopes.
Brunson's series statistics are impressive: in the first three games, he averages 29 points per game. Moreover, his value to the team extends far beyond scoring—when he is on the bench, the Knicks still outscore the opponent by 15.5 points per 100 possessions.
Brunson received help from his teammates in Game 3. Mikal Bridges added 23 points, Josh Hart recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Landry Shamet provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and 3 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Notably, the Knicks won Game 3 without one of their key players—forward OG Anunoby. He missed the game due to a right hamstring strain suffered in Game 2. Anunoby averaged 21.4 points per game in the first eight playoff games, shooting an incredible 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range.
For Philadelphia, Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way in Game 3 with 22 points. Joel Embiid, returning from ankle and hip injuries, scored 18 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. Paul George added 15 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 17. Notably, the Sixers' "Big Three," with contracts totaling over $400 million, did not attempt a single free throw except for Embiid, who made only 4 of 6 attempts.
Bookmakers view the teams' chances in Game 4 as relatively even. The Knicks are slight favorites with a -1.5 point spread, and the over/under is set at 212.5 points. On the moneyline, the odds for a Knicks win are -120, while the 76ers are at +100. The relatively modest spread is due to several factors: the Sixers are playing at home in a game that could be their season finale, and Anunoby's status remains questionable—he is listed as day-to-day.
Context and Significance
The Knicks-Sixers rivalry is a story of two clubs heading in opposite directions. New York (53-29 in the regular season) is aiming for a second consecutive trip to the conference finals. The team has won six straight playoff games—after a tough first-round series against Toronto (4-3), the current dismantling of Philadelphia seems almost routine.
Philadelphia (45-37), on the other hand, risks ending the season with a bitter taste. The team missed the playoffs last year and returned with a revamped roster and high ambitions. Embiid, who missed part of the regular season due to an appendectomy, returned in Game 4 of the first round and helped the club come back from a 1-3 deficit against Boston. But repeating that feat against a disciplined Knicks team seems like a challenge of a different magnitude.
A key statistical disparity in the series is performance in the final seconds of the shot clock. The Knicks shoot 61.8% on shots taken in the last 7 seconds of the shot clock, while the Sixers shoot only 35.7%. The scoring differential on such shots in Game 3 was 40-8 in favor of New York. This highlights a fundamental difference in execution during critical moments.
After the Game 3 loss, Embiid remained defiant: "We can't give up. You know, 3-1 is tougher. You have to understand that you can't come back in one game. One win, then focus on the next, then another—that's the mindset. It's the mindset we had last week." But the problem is that the score is now 3-0, not 3-1, and there is no room for error.
What's Next / Preview of Next Game
If the Knicks win on Sunday, they will become the first team since 1999 to sweep a best-of-seven series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. Their opponent in the finals will be the winner of the Detroit-Cleveland series, where the Pistons lead 2-1 after three games.
For Philadelphia, Game 4 is not just about continuing the series but also about saving face. A 0-4 loss would be a bitter end to a season in which massive financial resources were invested. Three max-contract stars failed to win a single game against Mike Brown's system—this will inevitably raise serious questions about the roster's future in the offseason.
Game 5, if necessary, would be played in New York at Madison Square Garden. But it seems unlikely—the Knicks intend to close out the series on Sunday and begin preparations for the conference finals.
— Editorial Team
