76ers one loss away from a sweep, Embiid: “One game at a time”
The return of Joel Embiid was not enough for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks beat the Sixers again and moved ahead 3-0 in the series
The Philadelphia 76ers believed they had a chance. Joel Embiid returned after missing Game 2 with hip and right ankle issues, and the atmosphere at Xfinity Mobile Arena felt like a playoff stage. But the New York Knicks were not rattled, winning 108-94 to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The star center from Cameroon finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 34 minutes – decent numbers on paper, but far from the version seen in the previous three games against the Celtics in the first round. More than a dominant force, Embiid looked like the subdued player from Game 4 against Boston, when Philly was completely overwhelmed.
The Knicks attacked him relentlessly in space, taking advantage of his limited mobility to generate clean looks and offensive rebounds. A surgical game plan, executed perfectly.
I feel fine. It was just a tough loss. We have to think one game at a time
Joel Embiid
If Embiid was a partial disappointment, Paul George was worse. A dream first quarter – 15 of the team’s 31 points – then absolutely nothing: 9 straight missed shots and zero points over the final three quarters. A physical and mental collapse that left the Sixers without offensive answers when they needed them most.
We have to win one. Keep the season alive. We’re right there, but we can’t close games. We play three great quarters and then let go late
Paul George
The harshest stat of the night involved Philadelphia’s bench: zero points until midway through the fourth quarter, when Quentin Grimes hit a three almost by accident. The Knicks, meanwhile, dominated with their second unit, 29-11.
Making the night even more painful for the Sixers was the arena atmosphere. Despite the franchise’s efforts to limit opposing fans, clear chants of “Let’s Go Knicks” could be heard in the stands, along with MVP chants for Jalen Brunson.
I was focused on the game. I didn’t notice it
Joel Embiid
The situation is almost surreal. One week ago, the Sixers were celebrating their historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Celtics – only the fourth time in NBA history that the lower-seeded team pulled off such a feat. Today they are down 0-3, with their season hanging by a thread.
To avoid elimination, Philadelphia would have to become the first team in NBA history to come back from 0-3. A feat no team has ever accomplished, in any era.