By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers faced the New York Knicks tonight looking to get back into the win column after falling to the Wizards on Wednesday night. Philly had it working early in the night, but a late-game power outage helped the Knicks in their comeback effort. They beat them 106-to-104.

Early in the game the Sixers were able to hit their shots from the opening tip-off. The ball was moving faster than the Knicks could defend it and it lead to some easy shot opportunities for them. Tyrese Maxey (31-points) and Tobias Harris (23-points) led them, the duo combined for 54 of Philly’s 104-points. Both of them got whatever they wanted from the floor early on. They would attack the basket if New York’s defenders gave them any room to get to the paint. The Sixers will need both of these players while they are missing James Harden (who will miss at least a month with a sprained foot), and Joel Embiid who is still recovering from the flu. With the increase in scoring opportunities both players will need to make their presence known.  To help Philly get some victories during this tough stretch that they find themselves in early in the season.

The Knicks weathered the storm and were able to make a comeback midway through the fourth quarter. They took advantage of the fact that Philly experienced a power outage. They could not hit a shot and New York couldn’t miss, they went on 12-to-nothing scoring run and that helped them retake the lead. The duo of RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson led them they combined for 44 of New York’s 106-points. They were able to hit their shots and take full advantage of Philly’s defensive mistakes.  Both of them made them pay by hitting their shots and finding their teammates when the Sixers would turn up the defensive pressure. Obi Toppin was a beneficiary of this ball movement as he hit the game-winning three-point shot for the Knicks.

The Sixers just could not overcome the late game offensive barrage from the Knicks. Without Harden and Embiid, they did not have any playmakers that could create their own shot. Tyrese Maxey had a chance to be the hero for Philly, but the shot clanked off the right side of the rim ending any chance Philly had to win this game. Their late-game offensive execution was horrible tonight, and with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns coming up on Monday night. That will need to improve if the Sixers want to beat the Suns and get their fifth win of the season.