Joel Embiid scored 50 points, including all four 3-point attempts and 18 in the third quarter, fueling the Philadelphia 76ers' 125-114 win against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Thursday night.
Embiid confidently declared that the 76ers will win this series after losing Game 2.
With one of his best postseason performances, Embiid became the third player ever to score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason, keeping hope alive for a potential series comeback by Philadelphia.
The Knicks are leading the series 2-1. The next game is on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Embiid made 13 of 19 shots, 19 of 21 free throws, and five 3-pointers.
Embiid, last season’s NBA MVP, rallied the home crowd in South Philly during the third quarter, playing like a sharpshooting guard and turning the tide for the team.
The Sixers narrowed a three-point halftime deficit when Embiid got on fire, hitting three 3-pointers in a row, extending their lead to 98-85.
Not bad for a player who typically shoots 34% from beyond the arc.
Maxey also made two 3-pointers in the quarter, and the 76ers scored 43 points with an impressive 9 of 12 shooting from beyond the arc.
After suffering in New York, the Sixers fought back.
Embiid’s sturdy left knee brace provided stability for the 7-footer, who had been dealing with injuries all season. He remained composed and made significant contributions on both ends of the court throughout the game.
The Knicks won the first two games in New York, featuring Donte DiVincenzo’s go-ahead 3-pointer in Game 2. In Game 3, the trio of former Villanova Wildcats on the Knicks team were largely unable to make an impact.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart, who had been an unexpected 3-point threat for the Knicks in New York, scored 20 points, while DiVincenzo only scored five.
They seemed comfortable in the Sixers’ arena, which sounded more like Madison Square Garden at times, with chants of “Let’s Go Knicks!’ resonating throughout the arena. John Starks enthusiastically cheered them on from his courtside seat.
The Sixers responded with Allen Iverson.
However, the nostalgia didn’t have much significance in this matchup of two teams facing each other in a postseason series for the first time since 1989.
This game could shape up to be a memorable one.
Embiid received “MVP! MVP!” chants as he widened the lead from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
“Joel Embiid has been banned from the Empire State Building,” was shared on the skyscraper’s social media account.
Maxey ended with 25 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 15 points with no apparent issues following his reported involvement in a car crash after Game 2.
The third game proceeded without any major arguments about the refereeing after the NBA acknowledged that the referees had missed some important calls in the second game.
MAGIC 121, CAVALIERS 83
ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs contributed 24 points, and the Orlando Magic delivered the worst playoff defeat in the history of the Cavaliers by winning 121-83 on Thursday night to reduce the Cavaliers' advantage to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Franz Wagner ended with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who had a 43-point lead in the fourth quarter, achieving the third-largest victory margin in a playoff game. They secured their first playoff victory since 2019 and their first at home since April 26, 2011.
They have the chance to level the series with a win at home on Sunday.
Jarrett Allen scored 15 points and secured eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who had a 39% shooting accuracy from the field and a 23.5% accuracy from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points, and Donovan Mitchell contributed 13 points and seven assists.
The most severe previous loss for the Cavs was a 36-point defeat against Washington on April 24, 2008.
