Knicks and 76ers Renew Playoff Rivalry in Eastern Conference Semifinals

Key facts

• No. 3 seed New York Knicks face No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers in Eastern Conference semifinals.
• Series begins Monday, May 4 at Madison Square Garden (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).
• Knicks are -260 favorites; 76ers are +215 underdogs per FanDuel.
• Joel Embiid is probable for Game 1 with a right hip contusion, also dealing with knee issue, oblique strain, and recent appendix removal.
• 76ers eliminated top-seeded Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round.
• Knicks have best odds to reach NBA Finals from East (+145), followed by Pistons (+240), Cavaliers (+310), Sixers (+600).

A Rematch Two Years in the Making

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers will renew their postseason rivalry when they tip off Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The matchup pits the East's No. 3 seed against the No. 7 seed, but the seeding belies the intensity of a series that promises to be anything but lopsided. Two years ago, these same teams clashed in a memorable first-round series that featured seven games, a career-playoff-high 50 points from Embiid, a 47-point response from Jalen Brunson, and a season-saving 46 from Tyrese Maxey. The Knicks ultimately prevailed in six games, but the 76ers have since retooled and arrive with momentum after toppling the top-seeded Boston Celtics in seven games.

Philadelphia’s Blueprint for Upset

The 76ers have a clear path to victory, built on defense and exploiting mismatches. Rookie VJ Edgecombe defended Jalen Brunson effectively during the regular season, and Philadelphia can also throw Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, and Quentin Grimes at the Knicks' leading scorer. On offense, Philadelphia has historically exploited Brunson's defensive limitations, a weakness that does not exist on the other side of the court thanks to Maxey's improved defense. Joel Embiid has a track record of success against Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, and the addition of Paul George and Edgecombe gives the 76ers a deeper, more versatile roster than the one that lost two years ago. Embiid, despite a litany of injuries — including a right hip contusion, a knee issue, an oblique strain, and a recent appendectomy — looked poised in the closing games against Boston, while Maxey emerged as a reliable closer.

New York’s Home-Court Edge and Rebounding Prowess

The Knicks won eight more games than the 76ers during the regular season and secured home-court advantage, a significant factor in a series that could go the distance. New York's biggest potential advantage lies on the offensive glass, where Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart can generate second-chance opportunities that demoralize opponents. The 76ers struggled with defensive rebounding early in the Boston series but improved as the games progressed. Still, the Knicks' ability to dominate the boards could be the deciding factor in a tight contest. New York's depth and experience from two years ago also give them a psychological edge, though the 76ers counter that this year's squad is better than the one that fell short.

Embiid’s Health: The Ever-Present Question

Joel Embiid's health remains the central uncertainty of the series. Listed as probable for Game 1 with a right hip contusion, he is also managing a knee issue, an oblique strain, and recently had his appendix removed. Each game, as one observer put it, is like removing another block from a Jenga tower, with the risk of collapse always present. Yet Embiid has defied expectations before. Against Boston, he played through pain and delivered when it mattered most. The 76ers' title hopes rest on his ability to stay on the floor, and the team has built a roster capable of absorbing some of the load. But if Embiid falters, Philadelphia's path narrows dramatically.

The Broader Eastern Conference Picture

The winner of this series will face either the Detroit Pistons or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals. Both teams also needed seven games to advance from the first round, and neither appears invincible. The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, nearly lost to Orlando before the Magic missed 23 consecutive shots in the second half of Game 6. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, would rely on James Harden, a player Philadelphia has seen before. For the 76ers, the path to the NBA Finals looks more open than it has since the Ben Simmons era. They have already beaten the odds-on favorite in Boston, and the remaining competition does not inspire the same fear. But first, they must get past a Knicks team that has the best odds in the East to reach the Finals.

What’s at Stake for Both Franchises

For the Knicks, this series is an opportunity to validate their status as the East's top contender and reach the conference finals for the first time since 2000. For the 76ers, it is a chance to shed the label of underachievers and prove that their first-round upset was no fluke. The series schedule is set: Game 1 on Monday, May 4, in New York; Game 2 on Wednesday, May 6; Game 3 on Friday, May 8, in Philadelphia; Game 4 on Sunday, May 10; and, if necessary, Games 5 through 7 on May 12, 15, and 17. Every game will be broadcast nationally, a testament to the star power and narrative weight of this matchup.

A Series That Could Define an Era

Two years ago, the Knicks and 76ers produced a playoff series that became instant folklore. This time, the stakes are higher: a trip to the conference finals and a legitimate shot at the NBA title. Both teams have evolved, but the core tensions remain — Embiid's fragility versus his brilliance, Brunson's resilience versus Philadelphia's defensive schemes, and the ever-present question of which team can seize the moment. The 76ers have already beaten the best. Now they must prove they can do it again.

The bottom line

• The Knicks-76ers semifinal series begins Monday, May 4, with New York holding home-court advantage and -260 odds.
• Philadelphia eliminated top-seeded Boston in seven games, giving them confidence and momentum.
• Joel Embiid's health (hip, knee, oblique, appendix) is a major variable; he is probable for Game 1.
• Rookie VJ Edgecombe's defense on Jalen Brunson could be a key factor for the 76ers.
• New York's offensive rebounding, led by Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart, poses a significant threat to Philadelphia.
• The winner faces either Detroit or Cleveland in the conference finals, with both having vulnerabilities.