The New York Knicks knock Philadelphia out of the playoffs in a tightly contested sixth game – and face the Pacers, who end a long drought. The NBA on Friday morning
The owners of the Philadelphia 76ers really gave it their all. They bought 2000 tickets on the secondary market in the run-up to the sixth clash with the New York Knicks and distributed them free of charge to local institutions to prevent another home game from becoming an away game. But again the Knicks fans could be heard in the Wells Fargo Center in the decisive moments – and again they were allowed to cheer in the end.
The Knicks reached the conference semi-finals of the NBA playoffs with a hard-fought 118:115 victory on Friday night (CEST) because Jalen Brunson was once again virtually unstoppable. The 27-year-old, who set a franchise record with 47 points in Game 4, scored 41 this time (plus 12 assists) and is the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to score at least 40 points in each of the final three games of a series.
The 76ers, who had turned a 22-point deficit into a ten-point lead in the meantime, did not have enough of Joel Embiid’s 39 points and 13 rebounds to force a seventh game. The preseason MVP had to sit out shortly before the end due to his sixth foul. In another scene, he had previously hit Isaiah Hartenstein in the face. The Knicks’ center, who was an important factor for his team with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, got a bloody nose in the process.
Closed Pacers throw Bucks out – Beverley causes a scandal
Further action for him, Brunson & Co. against the Indiana Pacers, who survived a playoff round for the first time in ten years. Against the Milwaukee Bucks, who were still three places higher after the end of the main round, they secured the decisive fourth win by 120:98.
Obi Toppin (21 points) and T.J. McConnell (20) were the best scorers coming off the bench, with four teammates also scoring in double figures. The Bucks were ultimately unable to compensate for the loss of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the series. Damian Lillard celebrated his comeback, but had to make do with 28 points (7/16 from the field).
Bucks pro Patrick Beverley caused a scandal when he threw a basketball from the bench towards the Pacers fans in frustration with 2:32 minutes remaining, hitting a woman on the head and, when the supporters threw it back, hurled the ball in their direction again
