Not only did he score a game-high 25 points, but Knicks guard Miles McBride also locked down one of the 76ers’ primary scorers, Tyrese Maxey, in a standout defensive performance (McBride, left).
After a slow start in the first round against the Hawks, falling behind 1-2, the Knicks turned things around by shifting away from a slow-paced offense dominated by Jalen Brunson’s ball-handling. Instead, they embraced team ball movement, sparking three straight wins.
That crucial adjustment carried over into the second round against the 76ers. In Game 4 on May 10, despite missing OG Anunoby due to a right hamstring strain, the Knicks never lost momentum. They maintained a fast pace, exploiting mismatches in height and speed with precision. The 76ers weren’t lacking in focus or intensity; they fought desperately as a team on the brink, but the Knicks simply outplayed them.
Moreover, their three-point shooting was red-hot. They drained 11 of 13 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, taking a commanding 43-24 lead. That shooting touch continued until the starters were pulled with the game well in hand. By the end of the third quarter, they had hit 23 of 37 three-pointers (62.2%). With a fast tempo and proper spacing, they quickly identified open players, delivered crisp passes, and created catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Scoring 144 points in a playoff game known for defensive intensity wasn’t just about hot shooting. Of their 49 made field goals, 33 were assisted. They also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points, and added 20 fast-break points.
There was little the 76ers could do against such a complete performance. When coach Nick Nurse called a timeout with 3:30 left in the second quarter, the deficit had ballooned to 27 points. At that moment, the series was effectively over.
Miles McBride knocked down seven three-pointers to finish with a game-high 25 points. Starting in place of the injured Anunoby, he set the tone for the Knicks’ rout by hitting four consecutive threes within the first five minutes of tip-off.
“I always trust the work I’ve put in, and I shoot believing every one will go in,” McBride said. “Tonight, they left me open. This kind of aggressive play is what I’m supposed to do. The coaching staff and my teammates trust me to be on the floor, so I just play with confidence and go all out.”
McBride’s impact went beyond scoring. He drew the assignment of guarding Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers’ most explosive scorer, holding him to 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting. In a game where shots were falling and points were piling up, it would have been easy to lose focus on defense, but McBride kept working hard on that end, leaving no room for the 76ers to exploit.
Still, McBride credited team defense. “That’s the result of our collective effort,” he said. “When Maxey tried to use his speed to break free, my teammates had my back. We all rotated to cover Joel Embiid in the pocket, Kelly Oubre Jr. cutting, Paul George spotting up for threes. Everyone deserves credit. And of course, the coaching staff did a great job with scouting.”
With the sweep, the Knicks have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. They will face the winner of the Pistons-Cavaliers series, which is currently 2-1 and could stretch longer, giving the Knicks valuable time to rest both body and mind. It also allows Anunoby additional recovery time.
What fans truly hope for is an NBA Finals appearance—something the Knicks haven’t achieved since the turn of the century—and a championship, which has eluded them since 1973. But the players remain grounded. Jalen Brunson said, “Winning the first two rounds doesn’t mean we’re in a better spot than before.” Josh Hart added matter-of-factly, “There’s no celebration or relief; it’s just one step forward.”
Karl-Anthony Towns echoed the sentiment: “We want to stay focused on being the best version of ourselves. We’ll use the time off to rest our bodies and heal our minds. Then we’ll get back to work and raise our level of play. When the next series starts, we want to be the best Knicks team we’ve been all season.”