Venue: Wells Fargo Center — Philadelphia, PA
Tip‑Off: 7:30 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN / MSG / NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Knicks enter Game 3 with a commanding 2–0 series lead after two physical, defensive‑heavy wins at Madison Square Garden. Philadelphia returns home desperate to avoid a 3–0 hole — a deficit no team in NBA history has ever recovered from. The Sixers need offensive answers, while New York looks to continue dictating pace and physicality.
VENUE — WELLS FARGO CENTER
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Capacity: ~20,500
Home‑court edge: One of the loudest playoff environments in the East
Knicks road record (regular season): 20–21
Sixers home record (regular season): 27–14
Philadelphia historically plays significantly better at home, especially in elimination‑pressure situations.
INJURY REPORT
New York Knicks
Julius Randle — OUT (shoulder, season‑ending)
Mitchell Robinson — OUT (ankle)
OG Anunoby — Day‑to‑day (hamstring tightness)
Donte DiVincenzo — Probable (knee soreness)
Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid — Questionable (knee inflammation)
Tyrese Maxey — Probable (ankle)
Kelly Oubre Jr. — Day‑to‑day (hip)
De’Anthony Melton — OUT (back)
Impact:
Embiid’s status is the single biggest swing factor.
Knicks’ depth has held strong despite injuries, but OG’s availability is critical for defending Maxey.
RECENT TEAM FORM
New York Knicks
Last 10 overall: 8–2
Defensive rating in series: 102.4 (elite)
Knicks have controlled pace, rebounding, and late‑game execution.
Philadelphia 76ers
Last 10 overall: 5–5
Offensive rating in series: 104.1 (below season average)
Sixers struggling with half‑court creation and spacing.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Jalen Brunson (NYK) vs. Tyrese Maxey (PHI)
Brunson averaging 28.5 PPG in series
Maxey averaging 24.0 PPG, but efficiency has dipped Edge: Knicks (slight) — Brunson’s playoff shot‑making has been the difference.
OG Anunoby (NYK) vs. Tobias Harris (PHI)
OG’s defense has limited Harris’ touches
Harris must be more aggressive at home Edge: Knicks (if OG plays)
Joel Embiid (PHI) vs. Isaiah Hartenstein (NYK)
Embiid’s health is the series’ biggest variable
Hartenstein has held his own defensively Edge: Sixers (if Embiid is 80%+)
Bench Units
Knicks bench: Hart, McBride, Achiuwa
Sixers bench: Lowry, Reed, Covington Edge: Knicks — deeper, more consistent, better rebounding.
SERIES HISTORY
Knicks lead series 2–0
Knicks won season series 3–1
Knicks have won 5 of last 6 vs. Philadelphia
Sixers are 6–2 in last 8 home playoff games vs. NYK historically
BETTING TRENDS
New York Knicks
Knicks are 7–1 ATS in last 8 games
Under has hit in 5 of last 7 Knicks playoff games
Knicks are 5–2 ATS in last 7 road games
Philadelphia 76ers
Sixers are 4–1 ATS in last 5 home games
Over is 6–3 in last 9 Sixers home games
Sixers are 1–5 SU in last 6 vs. Knicks
Head‑to‑Head
Knicks have covered 4 straight
Unders are 3–1 in last 4 meetings
Average margin in series: NYK +8.5
Game Odds
New York Knicks 213.5
Philadelphia Sixers – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 7, 2026
