Overview
- New York opened the semifinal with a 137-98 blowout of Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden, led by Jalen Brunson’s 35 points.
- The win extended the Knicks’ playoff streak to four and made them the first team to take three straight postseason games by at least 25 points.
- Philadelphia’s scorers stalled in the Garden, with Paul George leading the 76ers with only 17 as Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid could not jump-start the offense.
- San Antonio lost its opener 104-102 at home even as Victor Wembanyama logged a blocks–rebounds–points triple-double with a playoff-record 12 rejections.
- Bench and role players shaped both games, from OG Anunoby’s 18 for New York to Dylan Harper’s 18 for the Spurs and Julius Randle’s 21 for Minnesota.