As a Knicks fan, the loss at home in Game 4 was as frustrating as it was disappointing for one made free throw or a timely foul could have sent the Sixers home for the summer.
But as a basketball fan, having another exciting game in this first-round series is a true gift.
The series between the Knicks and Sixers has given fans everything playoff basketball is about. Big-time shots, tough rebounding, timely baskets and All-Stars showing why they’re on the verge of becoming NBA superstars.
For old school NBA fans, the series has taken us back to the 80s and 90s, days of tough, exciting basketball, where hard fouls, some dirty play, rebounding, the midrange game and clutch shooting were on display during heartwrenching games where the outcome wasn’t determined until the final seconds.
Aside from Tyrese Maxey’s deep three to tie the game in the final few seconds on Tuesday night, we haven’t seen the characteristics of today’s NBA game- deep threes, lack of defense and monster dunks.
Instead, we’ve been blessed with exciting, hard-nosed, physical and edgy basketball with injuries plaguing both teams. But it’s a series where no excuses are permitted and no “F’s” are given.
It’s also revived the once-intense rivalry between the two teams and the two cities, something that’s been absent over the last few years.
While Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Dr. J and Allen Iverson no longer run up and down the court, they’ve all been in attendance during the series, and it’s rekindled the Route 95 rivalry.
In Game 3, Knicks fans swarmed the Wells Fargo Center and celebrated a road win while Dr. J, Iverson and Dawn Staley were in attendance. After the game, New York fans chanted and celebrated down escalators and in the streets while Philly fans fumed.
Game 4 was a different story.
With celebrity row packed and former Knicks players like Ewing, Anthony, John Starks, Larry Johnson and Latrell Sprewell in attendance, the teams battled all night and just when it looked like the Knicks would survive with a three-point win, Maxey channeled his inner Dame-time and nailed a deep three that sent the game into overtime, where the Sixers prevailed 112-106.
“Going through my mind right there was just find a way to survive,” Maxey said. “Season’s on the line. I trust my work, I trust what I’ve done all my life. And just try to get to a spot and raise up and knock a shot down.”
Maxey finished with a game-high 46 points and also added five rebounds and nine assists. That included seven points in 20 seconds to close out regulation, giving Knicks fans gutwrenching flashbacks to Reggie Miller.
And while Joel Embiid didn’t have a dominant game, he’s become New York’s new villain, something the team has always had in an opponent. Just ask Tim Hardaway and Reggie Miller.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson continues his superstar play. He finished with 40 points, three rebounds and six assists but had a crucial turnover in OT that helped end the team’s chances for a win.
But no fan will blame Brunson for that play as the second-year player is the team’s star, with some saying he’s on the verge of becoming the King of New York.
Biggie will hold that crown for now, but if Brunson leads New York to a title during his tenure in the Big Apple, the crown just might be passed.
For now, the series heads back to Philly for Game 6 on Thursday night and for basketball fans, it promises to be another night of thrilling, nail-biting, physical basketball where it comes down to the wire again.
Just what New York Knicks fans are used to.
