New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Playoffs Preview & Predictions

Cyro Asseo breaks down the 2026 NBA Playoffs second-round matchup between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks enter as the favorites after a dominant first-round showing and a stronger full-season profile. New York finished 53–29 with a top-3 offense (119.8 ORtg) and top-7 defense, then followed it up with a 122.0 offensive rating against Atlanta. Meanwhile, Philadelphia advanced despite offensive inconsistency, averaging just 102.8 points per game against Boston. Cyro explains why Jalen Brunson remains the engine of this series. He averaged 26.3 points and 6.2 assists in Round 1 and continues to control tempo, generate late-clock offense, and anchor New York’s half-court execution. The biggest swing piece for New York is OG Anunoby. He was elite against Atlanta, putting up 21.5 points on 61.1% shooting and 56.7% from three. If he maintains that efficiency while defending at a high level, the Knicks become extremely difficult to scheme against. Karl-Anthony Towns adds another layer with his passing and rebounding. His 18.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in Round 1 give New York a second offensive hub and a major advantage in controlling possessions. For Philadelphia, everything hinges on Joel Embiid. Even in limited action, he averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. If he’s healthy and playing full minutes, the Sixers’ ceiling changes completely. Tyrese Maxey remains the primary offensive driver, averaging 26.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 41.2% from three in the first round. Paul George adds elite shot-making, hitting 54.3% from deep, while VJ Edgecombe provides athleticism and energy as a rookie contributor. X-Factors Knicks OG Anunoby — elite two-way efficiency Karl-Anthony Towns — playmaking + rebounding control Mitchell Robinson — second-chance impact off the bench Miles McBride / Jose Alvarado — guard pressure on Maxey 76ers Joel Embiid — health determines ceiling Tyrese Maxey — must match Brunson’s production Paul George — perimeter shot-making swing VJ Edgecombe — rookie impact and athleticism Projected 10-Man Rotation New York Knicks Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges OG Anunoby Josh Hart Karl-Anthony Towns Miles McBride Jordan Clarkson Mitchell Robinson Jose Alvarado Landry Shamet Philadelphia 76ers Tyrese Maxey VJ Edgecombe Kelly Oubre Jr. Paul George Joel Embiid Quentin Grimes Andre Drummond Adem Bona Justin Edwards Dominick Barlow Cyro breaks down why New York’s depth, offensive structure, and two-way balance give them the edge over a Philadelphia team that relies heavily on star-level shot-making. Prediction: Knicks in 6 The 76ers have a real upset path if Embiid is healthy and Maxey/George stay efficient, but New York’s consistency, defense, and half-court execution should carry the series. Catch the full playoff breakdown and stay locked in for more NBA coverage. #knicks #76ers #nba #nbaplayoffs #cyroasseo #hoopshype #nbanews #nbapreview #knicksvs76ers #nba2026 00:00 - Series Preview & Intro 01:49 - Why the Knicks are the Favorites 03:22 - Jalen Brunson: The Knicks' Engine 04:03 - OG Anunoby: The Ultimate Swing Piece 04:38 - Karl-Anthony Towns: The X-Factor Advantage 05:45 - The 76ers' Best Counter: Star Shot-Making 06:21 - Philadelphia's Biggest Issue: Consistency 07:23 - Key Matchups & X-Factors 08:35 - Joel Embiid's Health & The 76ers' Path to Victory 10:35 - Final Series Prediction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices