Jalen Brunson slammed the door late and shoved the Knicks to a 3-0 series lead over the 76ers.

The Knicks leaned on their star guard when the pressure spiked, and Brunson answered with 33 points, including the baskets that steadied New York down the stretch. The 76ers kept the game within reach, but the Knicks found the sharper edge in the closing minutes and held on.

Brunson gave the Knicks exactly what contenders need in May: control, shot-making, and calm when the margin shrank.

The result puts New York in a commanding spot in this semifinal matchup. A 3-0 lead does more than tilt a series — it forces the trailing team to play nearly perfect basketball from here. For Philadelphia, the challenge now looks as much mental as tactical after another game slipped away late.

Key Facts

  • Jalen Brunson scored 33 points for the Knicks.
  • Brunson hit key late baskets to help close out the game.
  • The Knicks beat the 76ers to take a 3-0 lead in the semifinal series.
  • The 76ers stayed close, but New York finished stronger.

This win also sharpens the identity the Knicks have carried through the postseason: disciplined, resilient, and comfortable in tight finishes. Reports indicate New York trusted Brunson to manage the biggest possessions, and he delivered the kind of closing stretch that can define a playoff run.

Now the focus shifts to whether the Knicks can finish the job or whether the 76ers can drag the series back into doubt. The next game matters because it will test New York's ruthlessness and Philadelphia's response under elimination pressure.