Tip‑off: 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Venue: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY
Series: Knicks lead 1–0 (East Semifinals)
INJURY REPORT
Philadelphia:
Joel Embiid — GTD (ankle), expected evaluation on May 6.
New York: No major injuries listed.
Embiid’s status is the single biggest swing factor in the matchup.
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Philadelphia 76ers — 45–37 (0–1 in series)
Recent games: L 98–137 @ NY, W 109–100 @ BOS, W 106–93 vs BOS, W 113–97 @ BOS, L 96–128 vs BOS. The Sixers were overwhelmed in Game 1, allowing 137 points and struggling defensively.
New York Knicks — 53–29 (1–0 in series)
Recent games: W 137–98 vs PHI, W 140–89 @ ATL, W 126–97 vs ATL, W 114–98 @ ATL, L 108–109 @ ATL. New York has won four straight and is averaging 129.4 PPG over that stretch.
PLAYER MATCHUPS
Tyrese Maxey vs. Jalen Brunson
Maxey: 28.3 PPG, 6.6 APG (season)
Brunson: 26.0 PPG, 6.8 APG (season)
Brunson dominated Game 1’s tempo, while Maxey struggled without Embiid’s gravity.
Frontcourt Battle: Embiid (if active) vs. Karl‑Anthony Towns
Embiid: 26.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG (forecast)
Towns: 11.9 RPG, elite interior presence.
If Embiid sits or is limited, New York holds a massive interior advantage.
SERIES HISTORY
Last meeting: Knicks 137–98 (May 4).
Knicks have won four of the last five head‑to‑head matchups.
New York is 30–10 at home this season.
BETTING TRENDS
Knicks ML: 81% of money on New York.
Matchup Predictor: Knicks 79% win probability.
Knicks are 34–11 at home (76%).
Sixers are 22–19 on the road.
Knicks have covered 78% as home favorites.
Everything points toward New York unless Embiid is fully active.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Sixers 215.5
New York Knicks – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, May 5, 2026
