Not good: 76ers are 0-15 all time when trailing a series 2-0
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts during the first half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks zoomed to a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers after securing a 108-102 win in Game 2 on their home floor. With the win, the history is now on the side of the Knicks.
The 76ers have yet to recover from a 0-2 series deficit throughout their history. The 76ers have been down 0-2 in a series 15 times before this season.
Not good: 76ers are 0-15 all time when trailing a series 2-0
Aside from it, the 76ers were also 0-18 when they were down 3-1 in a playoff series, before the team pulled off the improbable in the first round, recovering from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks dominated the 76ers in Game 1, blowing them out by 39 points, 137-98. In Game 2, the 76ers were within striking distance throughout the game, but came up short down the stretch.
The 76ers went cold for six minutes in the final quarter, dooming them to a 0-2 deficit.
The 76ers missed Joel Embiid in Game 2 after suffering a setback in his knee before the game. However, Philly still had a three-point lead in the fourth quarter, before the Knicks leaned on Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges to seal the win.
GettyMike Brown expresses room for improvement for Knicks.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown pointed out what the team needs to improve in the following games to avoid any setbacks against the 76ers.
According to Brown, the Knicks must lessen their fouls and not let the 76ers feast on the free-throw line, just like they did in the first two games.
“We’ve got to try to do something about it because they’re just killing us from the free-throw line,” Brown said after Game 2, via Yahoo Sports. “It’s tough to win a ballgame if you’re getting beaten from the free-throw line like that versus a really good team. We’ve got to look at every aspect of it.”
“I know it’s only two games, but they had 34 [in Game 1] and 28 tonight. That’s 62. We had 17 and 25. So that’s 42 to 62. We have to do something right. I have to do a better job addressing it. Hopefully, it can get evened out a little more throughout the course of the series.”
The Knicks will have to brace for a possible Joel Embiid return in the coming games, while also managing the injury of OG Anunoby, who exited Game 2 with what looked like a leg injury.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dribbles the ball in a game against the Knicks. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Now down 0-2 in the series, the 76ers’ backs are against the wall as they hope to avoid a 0-3 hole in Game 3.
With questions about Embiid’s availability surrounding the team, the Knicks, meanwhile, have a chance to pounce on the 76ers’ shorthanded roster and perhaps crawl into a series sweep en route to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Game 3 of the series will be in Philadelphia on Friday, May 8. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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