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Dominant is the key word when describing the New York Knicks. They have won by 51 points and 30 points in their closeout games. This series against the Philadelphia 76ers was not at all different. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns toyed with Joel Embiid and Co.
The result? Well, both of their leaders reached huge NBA Playoffs record heights.
Knicks' Towns and Brunson reach new playoff peaks vs. 76ers
Going 144-114 in a closeout NBA Playoffs game is no joke and the Knicks proved it. Karl-Anthony Towns was their all-around star against Joel Embiid and the 76ers. He may have only played 20 minutes in Game 4 but his fingerprints were evident throughout the whole game. Towns finished with 17 points while going 71.4% from the field and 67% from three-point range. He also dropped 10 assists while grabbing two steals to prevent the 76ers from gaining any momentum.
This exact stat line was Towns' entry point to a lot of records. He is now tied with Brunson in having the third-most consecutive 6+ assist games in a single Knicks NBA Playoffs run. The big man is also just a game away from tying Maurice Cheeks from being second on the list. If they also continue dominating, Towns could usurp Walt Frazier who had 11 consecutive games where he dropped more than six assists.
Furthermore, Towns is second in assists in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Cade Cunningham is the only player who has more than him, per StatMuse.
Brunson was also not a slouch against the 76ers. To close out Game 4 for the Knicks, he played 28 minutes. The Knicks guard dropped 22 points while going 47% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. He also dropped six assists and grabbed four rebounds.
When all of Brunson's time on the court is crunched, he has earned an insane +162 plus-minus. This is the highest in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The two people who are chasing him are also his Knicks teammates. Josh Hart has a +145 and Towns has a +135 in the postseason.
A title for the first time in 53 years would not seem so bad after all of this effort from the Knicks.
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