What happened: The Knicks jumped all over Philadelphia in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, building a 27-point lead early in the second quarter as ESPN highlighted New York's barrage from 3-point range. The context pack around the post described the 76ers as playing without Joel Embiid during the stretch. New York entered the day up 3-0 in the series and looking to finish a sweep on the road.

Why it matters: A start like that puts the Knicks on the doorstep of the Eastern Conference finals and deepens the pressure on a 76ers team already facing elimination. It also came with New York still without OG Anunoby, underscoring how much control the Knicks have had in this matchup even while short-handed. For playoff watchers, an early blowout script can quickly flip live markets and shorten the path to a series-clinching result.

What to watch: Watch whether Philadelphia can cut the margin once the first wave of Knicks shooting cools and whether Embiid's status changes the game flow. If New York holds the lead, the Knicks will complete the sweep and advance to the East finals.