The energy in Madison Square Garden during a New York Knicks 76ers game isn't just loud. It’s heavy. You can feel it in your teeth. If you were watching the 2024 playoffs, you know exactly what I’m talking about. That first-round series didn't just reignite a dormant Atlantic Division feud; it basically poured gasoline on a bonfire and threw a few fireworks in for good measure.
It's personal.
Think about Jalen Brunson and Joel Embiid. Two completely different styles of dominance. On one side, you have a 6'2" guard who plays like he’s in a phone booth, using every shimmy and head fake known to man. On the other, a 7-foot force of nature who can win an MVP and still find himself the villain of Manhattan in under 48 minutes. When these two teams meet, the box score rarely tells the whole story. You have to look at the floor burns. You have to look at the way Josh Hart hunts down rebounds like his life depends on it.
Honestly, the NBA needed this. For years, the Knicks were... well, they were the Knicks. A lot of noise, not much substance. Meanwhile, Philly was "Processing" their way through seasons. But right now? This is the premier matchup in the Eastern Conference if you actually like basketball that hurts to play.
The 2024 Playoff Series That Changed Everything
We have to talk about that six-game slugfest. If you missed it, I’m sorry. It was arguably the highest-level basketball played in the entire 2024 postseason. The Knicks took it in six, but "took it" feels too polite. They survived it.
Game 2 was the one. You remember. The 76ers were up by five with less than 30 seconds left. It looked over. Then, pure chaos. A Brunson three that rattled in, a frantic steal on the inbound, and Donte DiVincenzo—now a member of the Timberwolves, but forever a hero in this rivalry—buried a triple that nearly took the roof off the Garden. The NBA later admitted there were missed calls in that sequence. Sixers fans are still furious about it. Knicks fans don't care. That’s the beauty of it.
Philly came back with a vengeance, though. Tyrese Maxey turned into a literal superhero in Game 5. Scoring seven points in 25 seconds? That’s video game stuff. He single-handedly silenced a crowd that was already planning their second-round watch parties. This is what makes the New York Knicks 76ers dynamic so special. It’s a game of runs, but also a game of grit.
The metrics from that series were wild. According to NBA Advanced Stats, the offensive rebounding percentage for New York was off the charts. They weren't just shooting better; they were just working harder. Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein (who has since moved on to OKC) were absolute menaces on the glass. It forced the 76ers to play a style they weren't entirely comfortable with.
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Joel Embiid vs. The Garden
There is no more polarizing figure in New York City right now than Joel Embiid.
After the "Leg Lock" incident with Mitchell Robinson, the relationship between the Sixers’ big man and the MSG faithful went from "healthy respect for a star" to "pure, unadulterated vitriol." Embiid is a master of the dark arts. He knows how to draw fouls. He knows how to get under your skin. In Game 3 of that series, he dropped 50 points while barely being able to jump due to Bell's Palsy and a banged-up knee. It was one of the most courageous and simultaneously frustrating performances in recent memory.
New Yorkers appreciate toughness. They just hate when it’s used against them.
The 76ers rely on Embiid to be the sun that everything orbits. When he’s off the floor, the gravity shifts. During the 2023-24 regular season and playoffs, the net rating difference for Philly with Embiid on vs. off was staggering. The Knicks knew this. Tom Thibodeau, being the defensive mastermind—and borderline basketball sociopath—that he is, designed a scheme to make Embiid work for every single inch.
The Villanova Knicks vs. The Maxey Leap
We can't ignore the roster construction here. The "Villanova Knicks" era—Brunson, Hart, and formerly DiVincenzo—brought a specific kind of chemistry to New York. They play like they’re still in college. They communicate without speaking. They dive for loose balls.
But Philly has the ultimate counter-punch in Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey is the fastest player in the league. Period. Watching him navigate a Knicks defense that is specifically designed to be a "No Fly Zone" is fascinating. He’s the Most Improved Player for a reason. While the Knicks try to slow the game down into a half-court grind, Maxey wants to turn it into a track meet.
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Why the Knicks upgraded with Karl-Anthony Towns
The trade for KAT changed the math. Suddenly, the New York Knicks 76ers rivalry got a new dimension. KAT provides the spacing that the Knicks never had. For years, Embiid could just sit in the paint and dare the Knicks' centers to shoot. He can't do that anymore. If he leaves Towns, it's a splash from deep.
This move was specifically made to get past the giants of the East. You need shooting. You need size. KAT brings both, even if his defensive reputation isn't exactly "Thibodeau-approved" yet. But watching Towns and Embiid battle—two guys with a genuine history of "disliking" each other—is going to be must-see TV for the next three years.
The Coaching Chess Match: Nurse vs. Thibs
Nick Nurse is a mad scientist. He’ll throw a box-and-one at you in the middle of the second quarter just to see if you’re paying attention. He uses zone more than almost any other high-level coach.
Thibodeau is the opposite. He’s a "do what we do, but do it better than you" kind of guy. He wants 48 minutes of high-intensity man-to-man defense. He wants his starters to play 42 minutes. He wants you to feel like you've been in a car wreck by the time the fourth quarter starts.
The tactical battle in a New York Knicks 76ers game is often decided by the bench. Philly has historically struggled with depth, while the Knicks have made it their identity. However, with the addition of Paul George to the 76ers roster, the star power has tilted back toward Philly. George provides a wing defender that can actually bother Jalen Brunson.
What the Fans Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most people think this is just about "star power." It's not.
People think the Knicks win because of "grit." Also not entirely true. They win because they have one of the most efficient offenses in the league built around Brunson’s ability to create something out of nothing.
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People think the 76ers are just "Embiid or bust." While he’s the centerpiece, the development of their secondary scoring has been the real story. If you aren't paying attention to the way Philly uses their "dunker spot" or how they’ve integrated Kelly Oubre Jr. into a winning system, you’re missing the nuance.
Real Data: The Numbers Behind the Rivalry
Let's look at some cold hard facts from their recent encounters:
- Rebounding Margin: In the 2024 playoffs, the Knicks averaged 10+ more second-chance points per game than the Sixers in their wins.
- Clutch Time Performance: Jalen Brunson led the league in "clutch points" for a significant portion of the season. When it’s 102-102 with two minutes left, New York has a psychological edge.
- Health: This is the elephant in the room. The 76ers' ceiling is entirely dependent on Embiid’s meniscus and George’s longevity. The Knicks have their own issues (OG Anunoby’s health history), but they’ve proven they can win "ugly" without their full roster.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re heading to the Garden or Wells Fargo Center for a New York Knicks 76ers showdown, watch the off-ball movement.
- The High Screen: Watch how Philly tries to pull the Knicks' center out of the paint to give Maxey a runway.
- The Josh Hart Factor: Count how many times Josh Hart gets a rebound he has no business getting. It changes the momentum of the game more than a dunk does.
- The Whistle: Both teams play physically. See how the refs call the first five minutes. If they let them play, it favors New York. If it’s a tight whistle, Philly’s free-throw parade begins.
The Road to the Eastern Conference Finals
Ultimately, the path to the Larry O'Brien trophy in the East goes through Boston. But to get to Boston, you usually have to go through each other.
The Knicks have built a team that is designed to survive a seven-game series. They are deep, they are versatile, and they are coached by a man who doesn't believe in rest. The 76ers have built a team designed to overwhelm you with talent. It’s the "Process" vs. the "Grind."
It’s the best thing going in basketball.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the Injury Report: This seems obvious, but with Embiid and OG Anunoby, it’s everything. A "questionable" tag for either player usually moves the betting line by 3-5 points instantly.
- Focus on the Under: These teams know each other too well. In high-stakes matchups, the pace slows down, and the defense tightens. The "Under" has been a frequent winner in their playoff-style matchups.
- Check the Home/Away Splits: The Garden is a fortress, but Philly fans travel well to New York (and vice versa). Don't discount the "Takeover" potential in either arena.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: Both front offices (Leon Rose for NY and Daryl Morey for PHI) are aggressive. Neither team is "finished" until the February deadline passes. Expect mid-season tweaks to address specific weaknesses exposed during their head-to-head games.
The New York Knicks 76ers rivalry is no longer a historical footnote from the 70s or 80s. It is the present. It is loud. It is bruised. And honestly? It’s exactly what the NBA should be. If you aren't tuned in when these two take the floor, you're missing the highest level of competitive basketball available today. Keep an eye on the defensive rotations—that's where these games are won and lost.