The Philadelphia 76ers seemed poised to secure a split at Madison Square Garden until the New York Knicks orchestrated a breathtaking finale that will undoubtedly echo in the annals of Gotham's basketball history.
In a stunning display of resilience and determination, the Knicks orchestrated an 8-0 surge in the closing 27 seconds, blending fortuitous breaks, relentless hustle, and clutch shot-making to snatch a remarkable 104-101 comeback triumph over the 76ers on Monday night, thus seizing a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. In a quintessentially Knicks manner, every player contributed pivotal plays during this decisive stretch.
Reflecting on the electrifying finish, Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau remarked, "There have been some unforgettable moments, but that one ranks among the finest. It epitomizes the essence of playoff basketball. Often, it boils down to one hustle play here, another there, and simply finding a way to emerge victorious."
The stage was set for the late-game heroics when 76ers guard Kyle Lowry missed his second free throw with 47 seconds remaining, with the Knicks trailing 101-96. Seizing the opportunity, New York surged up the court, initially struggling to find an open shot amidst a chaotic scramble in the paint. As the shot clock dwindled, Donte DiVincenzo located Jalen Brunson in the left corner, whose three-pointer ricocheted high off the rim before miraculously dropping through the net with 16 seconds left.
Attempting to inbound the ball, the 76ers faced further adversity as Tyrese Maxey fumbled the pass amidst pressure from Brunson. Despite Maxey regaining possession, the 76ers were unable to call a timeout before Knicks guard Josh Hart aggressively seized control.
Recounting the frantic sequence, 76ers Coach Nick Nurse lamented, "We aimed to inbound swiftly, but failed to execute. I signaled for a timeout twice, yet it went unnoticed. It escalated into a frenzy. I reviewed the footage it's evident I signaled for timeout. Unfortunately, we didn't receive the opportunity."
With play uninterrupted, Hart retrieved the ball and swiftly found DiVincenzo, who missed an initial three-pointer but was bailed out by Isaiah Hartenstein's acrobatic offensive rebound. Passing to OG Anunoby, Hartenstein's effort paved the way for DiVincenzo to drain an open three-pointer from the top of the key, propelling New York to a 102-101 lead and igniting pandemonium in the Garden.
Reflecting on the critical moment, DiVincenzo expressed gratitude for the second chance afforded by Hartenstein's hustle, underscoring the team's unwavering confidence under Coach Thibodeau's guidance.
The Knicks sealed the victory with a crucial block from Hartenstein on Maxey's last-ditch attempt and a pair of free throws from Anunoby. Despite a final effort from Joel Embiid, who missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, the Knicks emerged triumphant, etching their name in the annals of playoff lore.