NBA playoffs 2026: What will decide Knicks-76ers Game 3 and beyond? - ESPN

As the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinal between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers heads down Interstate 95 for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, there is plenty to dissect.

There's Philadelphia looking to dig out of a second straight 2-0 deficit against a division rival, having come back from 3-1 against the Boston Celtics in the first round. There are health questions on both sides: 76ers center Joel Embiid (hip, ankle) and Knicks wing OG Anunoby (hamstring) and guard Josh Hart (thumb) are questionable for Game 3. Mitchell Robinson, who missed Game 2 with an illness, is probable.

And then there's the crowd. Two years ago, the three games played in Philadelphia during the first round felt like Knicks home games for significant stretches — so much so that Embiid publicly implored home fans to not sell their tickets and let Knicks fans into Xfinity Mobile Arena this weekend.

All of it shapes up for what should be two fun games between two of the league's oldest franchises. Will the Knicks stay hot? Can Philly get on the board? Here are five things to watch in Game 3 and beyond.

Bontemps: That New York's performance against the Atlanta Hawks wasn't a fluke. The Knicks impressively slammed the door on the Hawks in Games 4, 5 and 6 of their first-round series after losing Games 2 and 3 by a combined two points, blowing out the Hawks the rest of the way, including in record fashion to end the series.

The Knicks followed with another brilliant showing in Game 1 against Philadelphia, before Jalen Brunson's clutch shotmaking proved to be the difference in the closing minutes of Game 2. So far, the Knicks have clearly been the class of the East playoffs, and pending the status of Anunoby should be the clear favorites