NBA Playoffs: Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks advance to Round 2
Joel Embiid returns to action just 19 days post-surgery to lead the 76ers past Boston, while Jalen Brunson powers the Knicks to a dominant win over Atlanta.
The Philadelphia 76ers have survived an elimination scare to defeat the Boston Celtics in Game 5, securing their place in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The victory was anchored by Joel Embiid, who scored 33 points in 39 minutes just 19 days after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery. The match-up against the Celtics had seen Philadelphia suffer a Game 4 loss at home, placing them on the brink of elimination before their road victory.
Simultaneously, the New York Knicks took control of their series against the Atlanta Hawks with a commanding 126-97 victory at Madison Square Garden. Led by Jalen Brunson, who finished with 39 points and eight assists, New York advanced to Game 6 in Atlanta. The win marked a significant turnaround for the Knicks, who had previously fallen behind 2-1 in the series before rebounding with back-to-back victories.
In the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs became the second team to reach the second round by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5. The Spurs had already eliminated the Denver Nuggets in the first round, setting up this matchup against Portland. The victory was a team effort, with five players scoring at least 15 points, though Victor Wembanyama recorded 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.
Embiid adjusted his offensive approach in the second half, scoring 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting while avoiding three-point attempts entirely. He focused on interior play and isolation moves to bully the Celtics' defence. His return to the court so soon after surgery was a remarkable display of resilience, with the 76ers relying heavily on his performance to keep their season alive.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson reminded everyone of his status as a top-shelf scorer despite defensive vulnerabilities exposed earlier in the series. He scored 22 points in the second half alone, including a run of 10 straight points. The Knicks' bench also played a crucial role, dominating points in the paint and doubling up Atlanta's free-throw attempts, contributing to their physical advantage throughout the game.
The Spurs' victory over Portland marks their advancement to the second round, solidifying their position in the West. Conversely, the Trail Blazers' elimination was highlighted by the struggles of their young centre, Donovan Clingan, who shot 14-for-46 from the field in the series. His performance contributed significantly to the team's inability to compete with the Spurs.
