Knicks and 76ers Renew Playoff Rivalry as East Semifinals Begin Monday

Key facts

• Game 1: Philadelphia at New York, Monday May 4, 8 ET on NBC/Peacock.
• Knicks eliminated Hawks in first round; 76ers beat Celtics in Game 7 on May 2.
• Knicks and 76ers have met 10 times in playoffs; Philadelphia leads series 7-3.
• Knicks won the most recent playoff meeting in 2024.
• Karl-Anthony Towns recorded two triple-doubles in the Hawks series, a Knicks first.
• Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey played only 22 regular-season games together.
• Game 2 is Wednesday May 6 at 7 ET on ESPN; Game 3 Friday May 8 at 7 ET on Prime Video.

A Classic Rivalry Renewed

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers will tip off the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, reigniting one of the NBA's most intense postseason rivalries. The Knicks, seeded third, advanced by eliminating the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, while the seventh-seeded 76ers stunned the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in a Game 7 victory on Saturday, May 2. This marks the 11th playoff meeting between the two franchises, with Philadelphia holding a 7-3 edge in series victories. However, the Knicks won the most recent and emotionally charged battle in 2024, a six-game first-round upset that still lingers in the Sixers' memory.

Superstar Matchups at Guard and Center

The series features compelling matchups at two key positions. At center, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks will face Joel Embiid, the former MVP who has been a dominant force when healthy. Towns had a breakout series against the Hawks, recording two triple-doubles — the first Knick ever to achieve that in a playoff series — and serving as the hub of the offense. But Embiid presents a different challenge: he is more physical, can defend on the perimeter, and has elite instincts and timing. At guard, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges will contend with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Bridges is expected to draw the primary defensive assignment on Maxey, while the Knicks will need offensive production from him as well. Brunson, coming off a solid showing against the Hawks, will look to exploit any mismatches against Philadelphia's backcourt.

Philadelphia's Second Chance After 2024 Disappointment

The 76ers entered the 2024-25 season with championship aspirations after acquiring Paul George on a lucrative contract to pair with Embiid and the rapidly developing Tyrese Maxey. But injuries to Embiid and a regression in George's play derailed those plans, and the team lost to the Knicks in six games in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Now, two years later, the Sixers have a second chance. Fueled by their triumphant first-round upset of the Celtics, Philadelphia believes anything is possible. The trio of Embiid, George and Maxey played only 22 regular-season games together, and even in those games they never clicked as they did in the final three games against Boston. The Knicks, meanwhile, have built continuity around Towns, Brunson, Anunoby and Bridges, who are coming off a strong series against the Hawks.

Series Schedule and Broadcast Details

The series follows a traditional every-other-day schedule, with potential for seven games. Game 1 is Monday, May 4 at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. Game 2 will be Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Game 3 shifts to Philadelphia on Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. on Prime Video, and Game 4 on Sunday, May 10 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. If necessary, Game 5 returns to New York on Tuesday, May 12, Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday, May 14, and Game 7 back in New York on Sunday, May 17. All times are Eastern. The winner of this series will be a heavy favorite to reach the NBA Finals, as the other Eastern Conference semifinal features the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, neither of whom has matched the level of play shown by New York or Philadelphia in the first round.

Key Factors: Towns' Role and Bridges' Defense

For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns is the player to watch. After the team shifted its offensive approach in Game 4 against the Hawks — using him more as a hub in the high post rather than just a scorer — he produced two triple-doubles and the offense coalesced. He also defended well by dropping back into the paint against Atlanta's shooting bigs. But Embiid's presence in the paint will limit Towns' time and space. The Knicks need another impactful series from him or they could be in trouble. Mikal Bridges is the honorable mention. He will be tasked with guarding Tyrese Maxey on defense, and the Knicks need offensive contributions from him as well. If Bridges has a big series, it will ease the burden on Brunson and Towns and make the Knicks much harder to beat.

Historical Context and Stakes

The Knicks and 76ers share a deep and gritty playoff history. They have met 10 times in the postseason, with Philadelphia winning seven series. But the Knicks have won the last two meetings, including the 2024 first-round series that ended in six games. The rivalry is one of the most intense in the NBA, marked by physical play and emotional moments. This series also carries broader implications. The winner will be the clear favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, given the perceived weakness of the other semifinal matchup. For the 76ers, it is a chance to validate their star-laden roster after years of injury and underachievement. For the Knicks, it is an opportunity to prove that their first-round performance was no fluke and that they are legitimate contenders.

What Comes Next

The series opens with two games in New York before shifting to Philadelphia. The Knicks will look to protect home court, while the 76ers aim to steal a game at Madison Square Garden as they did in the regular season on December 19, when they won 116-107. That game, however, was played before the playoffs' intensity and adjustments. Both teams are coming off emotionally draining first-round series. The Knicks closed out the Hawks in six games, while the 76ers needed a Game 7 on the road to eliminate the Celtics. How they manage fatigue and maintain focus will be critical. The team that executes its game plan and wins the key individual matchups — particularly at center and on the perimeter — will advance to the conference finals.

The bottom line

• The Knicks-76ers Eastern Conference semifinals begin Monday, May 4 at Madison Square Garden, with Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
• Philadelphia upset the No. 2 seed Celtics in Game 7 on May 2, while New York eliminated the Hawks in six games.
• Karl-Anthony Towns recorded two triple-doubles in the first round, but faces a tougher matchup against Joel Embiid.
• The 76ers' trio of Embiid, George and Maxey played only 22 regular-season games together but clicked in the final three games against Boston.
• The winner of this series is the heavy favorite to reach the NBA Finals, as the other Eastern semifinal features Detroit and Cleveland.
• Philadelphia holds a 7-3 all-time playoff series edge, but New York won the most recent meeting in 2024.