The New York Knicks achieved a stunning victory in Game 2, seizing a commanding lead over the 76ers, an event that will definitely go down in the annals of NBA history.
In a thrilling roller-coaster ride of emotions, the Knicks turned a five-point deficit into a one-point advantage, sailing on that wave to secure a 104-101 victory over the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. This triumph handed the Knicks a commanding 2-0 series lead.
The defining moment of the game came from Donte DiVincenzo, whose three-pointer with 13.1 seconds left gave the Knicks the one-point lead. This was a moment of pure magic that will be remembered by Knicks fans for a long time to come.
In order to truly appreciate the climax, it’s crucial to understand the sequence of events that led to it. Jalen Brunson, despite an off night, managed to sink a 3-pointer — his first of the fourth quarter after six straight misses — to cut the lead to 2 with 27 seconds left.
Josh Hart, the hero of Game 2, snatched the ball from Tyrese Maxey’s grasp on Philly’s inbounds. The ball found its way to DiVincenzo, who missed a three-pointer, but Isaiah Hartenstein secured a crucial offensive rebound. The ball then went from Hartenstein to OG Anunoby and finally to DiVincenzo for the monumental Knicks shot.
But the Knicks weren’t out of the woods yet. They still needed a couple more big plays to ensure a celebration. Hartenstein stepped up to the plate with a strong contest on Tyrese Maxey’s potential go-ahead layup with merely 7.6 seconds left. Anunoby put the icing on the cake with points from the foul line.
In the end, the Knicks outscored the Sixers, 8-0, in the final 27 seconds. This is a testament to their tenacity and refusal to give up even in the face of adversity.
Tom Thibodeau, the coach of the Knicks, had this to say about the game, “There’s been some pretty wild finishes but that was right up there with the best of them. That just shows you what the playoffs are all about. And oftentimes, it’s a hustle play here, a hustle play there, just find a way to win.”
Despite having a rough game, Brunson’s confidence remained unshaken. He commented, “Find a way,” a simple yet profound statement that encapsulates the Knicks’ performance on that unforgettable night.
The victory was the result of a collective effort from the team. While Brunson struggled throughout the game, his teammates stepped up to fill the void, most notably his former Villanova teammates Hart and DiVincenzo.
The Sixers, on the other hand, received significant contributions from their stars, Joel Embiid and Maxey. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure a win in the final moments of the game.
Despite the roller-coaster of emotions and the uphill battle, the Knicks’ confidence never wavered. DiVincenzo echoed this sentiment, saying, “I don’t think our confidence ever wavered.”
