The Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102, at home, in front of Kylie Jenner, to go up 2-0 in their second-round series.
Let’s get right into some big takeaways I had after the game:
1. OG Anunoby prayer circle
First and foremost, we must all slit our palms, offering blood sacrifices to the gods in exchange for OG Anunoby’s health,
With about 2 and a half minutes left in the 4th, OG quietly limped himself out of the game, walking like Cotton Hill to the sidelines, holding his hamstring.
Nearly 12 hours later and no updates on his health.
Perhaps this is Knicks mind games—not revealing OG’s status until the last possible moment—Nick Nurse unable to focus his gameplan, uncertain if the Knicks best player will be on the court or not.
Yes, OG Anunoby is objectively the basketball player on the Knicks in this playoff run—shooting 62% from the field and 54% from 3, averaging 21.4 points in New York’s 8 games.
Here’s what OG did to the Sixers in Game 2:
- 37 minutes
- 24 points
- 9-for-17 from the floor
- 2 threes
- 4 free throws
- 5 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 4 steals
- 1 block
All things run through OG Anunoby.
He’s a Top 5 basketball players in the world right now.
Draymond Green mouthbreathing on ESPN, bragging about his greatness—we fawn, declare him a Hall of Famer—my man was never in his life balling out of control like this.
Team Austin Rivers, although he talks about high school a lot for someone over the age of 25.
2. The Knicks unlocked a new super small-ball lineup
With Mitchell Robinson out with Havana syndrome and both Karl-Anthony Towns and Ariel Hukporti in foul trouble, OG Anunoby was crucial in Mike Brown’s secret small ball lineup.
OG at center, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Landry Shamet and Jalen Brunson around him, pushing the pace, gaining the lead for the Knicks, crucially, in a game that early on felt like Philly was always maintaining the lead, keeping New York at an at least 2-point distance.
They not only space the floor for Brunson to get busy in the paint but they’re all guys who like to get a touch in the paint and spray the ball out to each other.
The beautiful game.
Nah, not when the boys ran out there and went on a little run.
This postseason, the Knicks are unlocking new moves they never had before.
From Karl-Anthony Towns operating the offense at the top of the key like ’23 Jokc—to Jalen Brunson setting off-ball screens to send Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby loose—to now a small ball lineup designed to pick up the pace on a Sixers team where their star is prohibited from sitting down for 3 hours.
This is the shit that wins championships.
We haven’t even seen the Josh Hart Game yet.
I’m ready for OKC.
3. The Sixers don’t have enough good players
It’s Sissyphus pushing a boulder attempting to win a championship relying on guys like Justin Edwards and Andre Drummond and Dominick Barlow.
Quentin Grimes looks shooketh returning to Madison Square Garden.
Thibs said Grimes wasn’t a dog.
Grimes fulfills the prophecy.
With or without Joel Embiid, the Sixers do not have enough depth to win this series.
Speaking of Thibs, Nick Nurse must squeeze sweat shops minutes out of his starters.
Tyrese Maxey played 47 minutes in Game 2, after leading the league in minutes all season.
VJ Edgecomb is TIRED.
His first career NBA campaign and Nick Nurse is slapping water bottles out of his hands, screaming at him to get back on D.
The Sixers scored just 12 points in the 4th quarter.
Knicks put the anaconda vise on and Philly tapped.
Their arms too exhausted to box with God.
4. Paul George is on steroids
Hey, we can all be honest, right?
Podcast P attempts to extend his waning career through unregulated biomedical means and the 25-game suspension worth it to maintain this high-level of play—still showered with praise like that 25-game suspension didn’t happen.
I think if you make it to age 35 and NBA teams still want to employ you, you should get one injection of that Barry Bonds.
Just one (1).
As a reward, celebrating your longevity.
Oh, they also get a mandatory participation in the upcoming MLB Home Run Derby.
You reach the finals, eliminating Pete Alonso on the way, you get another dose.
5. Tyrese Maxey scriptures
Before the Knicks sweep Philadelphia into a 2027 tailspin following the most boring “run it back” offseason in NBA history, Daryl Morey floating away in his hot air balloon as the city engulfs in flames beneath him, let’s give Tyrese Maxey some flowers.
Tyrese Maxey 26PTS, 3REB, 6AST, 1STL, 9/23FG vs Knicks https://t.co/wEiaruNZk3 pic.twitter.com/k58y3fxBcm
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) May 7, 2026
Tyrese Maxey’s in an impossible situation.
His co-star, Mr. Potato Heading up and down the court, dropping and collecting falling, disattaching limbs and digits as he runs.
Never know when Joel Embiid might be ready for the opening tip and when he’s there, Tyrese stands in the corner and watches Embiid surgically time the exact moment he tricks his defender into a shooting foul.
Without Embiid, Maxey must generate all offense at all times, the entire game.
My guy’s heave-ho-ing the night away, Nick Nurse calls timeouts, pulls the black folding chair Tyrese was about to sit in for himself, draws a play where Tyrese runs the full length of the court through screens and physical contact and Tyrese—carrying The Process trauma on his shoulders—must hold the weight of the world in his palms.
HE PLAYED 47 MINUTES.
We must free our comrade from these sickening work conditions.
They got my boy pissing in empty water bottles during foul reviews.
Tyrese and VJ need to spend their offseasons together, get close, and unionize that Sixers locker room against Nick Nurse.
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