What happened
New York beat Philadelphia in Game 3 to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The result builds on the Knicks' 2-0 start at Madison Square Garden and leaves the Sixers facing elimination. ESPN's signal framed it plainly: one more Knicks win sends New York back to the conference finals.
Why it matters
This is a major playoff swing because the Knicks are now one game from closing the series and extending their postseason run. For Philadelphia, Game 4 becomes a season-saving spot after dropping both road games and then failing to hold serve at home.
The data edge
Series: Knicks lead 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game results: Knicks 137-98 in Game 1, Knicks 108-102 in Game 2, Knicks 108-94 in Game 3. Seeds: New York entered as the East No. 3 seed; Philadelphia entered as the No. 7 seed. Next scheduled game: Game 4 on Sunday, May 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. Injury context entering Game 3: Joel Embiid had been dealing with ankle and hip issues, per pregame reports.
What to watch
Watch whether the Sixers can force the series back to New York in Game 4 or if the Knicks finish the sweep. Philadelphia's health and late-game shot creation will stay at the center of the matchup.