So Long, Sixers

This series was a war, and the Knicks had more warriors.

Final Score: Knicks 118 - Sixers 115

Phew. 

Take a big, deep breath, everybody. 

We'll get into the numbers, the X's and O's (switching DiVincenzo on to Maxey and forcing Maxey to drive left while having OG roam the baseline was a masterful schematic adjustment) and the defining plays in a bit, but this game, and this Knicks team in general, can't be covered correctly using traditional methods.  

The usual, typical metrics can't calculate their impact and success. 

This team relies on an incalculable combination of chemistry and cohesiveness.

From the moment Jalen Brunson arrived in New York, later joined by his buddies Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, the fortunes of this franchise changed forever. 

There are other teams that are far more talented that have already been eliminated from the 2024 playoffs. Phoenix's Big (and expensive) 3 of KD, Booker and Beal were watching last night's game on TNT from some beachside resort somewhere. The Heat thought they could coast through the regular season once again, but they are seated in South Beach. The Bucks had the highest of hopes entering the 2023-24 campaign, but they tanked their last couple of games to avoid the 2-seed and the Sixers and couldn't stay healthy enough to advance to the second round. 

This Knicks team, representing New York in the most significant ways possible, kept its foot on the gas pedal from Day 1. And now, they are getting ready for Game 1 of Round 2. 

Their effort, intensity and preparation never waned. It's why I was confident they would be able to bounce back after the crippling defeat in Game 5.

Most pundits, and even many fans, thought Philly would win last night and force a Game 7 because it was too much to ask NY to mentally and physically recover from the Maxey Miracle at MSG. 

Well, if you've watched this group, led by their point guard and head coach, day in and day out the last two years, you know they are special. 

This series was a war, and the Knicks had more warriors.