Brunson’s Career Night Propels Knicks to Commanding 3-1 Series Lead Over 76ers

Jalen Brunson delivered a performance for the ages, exploding for a career-high 47 points and 10 assists to lead the New York Knicks to a thrilling 97-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Brunson’s offensive outburst etched his name in Knicks playoff history. He not only established a new franchise playoff scoring record, but also became the first Knicks player ever to record back-to-back playoff games with at least 30 points and 10 assists. With this win, the Knicks hold a commanding 3-1 series lead, putting the pressure squarely on the 76ers to avoid elimination in Game 5 back in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Despite a scare late in the third quarter when Brunson went down with a potential knee injury, he returned early in the fourth to continue his offensive dominance. He finished the game shooting a stellar 18-for-34 from the field and a near-perfect 9-for-11 from the free-throw line, including two crucial free throws with just 5.2 seconds remaining that sealed the five-point victory.

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OG Anunoby provided a strong supporting cast with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds. Miles McBride chipped in with 13 points, while Josh Hart anchored the defense with a game-high 17 rebounds.

The Knicks were dealt a blow early when center Mitchell Robinson, already sidelined with a sprained ankle in the second half of Game 3, was ruled out for Game 4 entirely. However, the team managed to overcome this absence with a collective effort.

Joel Embiid paced the Sixers with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double, but it wasn’t enough to match Brunson’s heroics. Tyrese Maxey added 23 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 19, and Tobias Harris contributed 10 points for Philadelphia.

After a sluggish start that saw the Sixers lead 27-17 after the first quarter, the Knicks clawed their way back into the game in the second. Philadelphia went ice-cold, missing a staggering 12 consecutive shots at one point, allowing New York to capitalize and take the lead 34-32.

The second half continued to be a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging blows. Despite losing Bojan Bogdanovic to a left foot contusion just 19 seconds into the second quarter (he was already reportedly playing through ligament damage in his left wrist), the Knicks never gave up.

Brunson’s offensive prowess continued to shine in the third quarter, helping the Knicks erase a deficit and take a narrow 77-76 lead heading into the final frame. In the clutch moments of the fourth, Brunson remained composed, securing the crucial free throws that ultimately sealed the win for the Knicks.

The 76ers now face an uphill battle, needing to win three straight games to avoid a first-round exit. The Knicks, on the other hand, will look to close out the series on their home court in Game 5.