Knicks 112, 76ers 109 — Brunson Outduels Embiid as New York Survives Late Push in Philly

By: J.J. Pavlick | Philadelphia, PA | January 24, 2026

The New York Knicks walked into Xfinity Mobile Arena and absorbed every punch Joel Embiid threw at them—38 points, 11 rebounds, a fourth‑quarter takeover, and a furious final push—and still walked out with a 112–109 win that felt like a statement about who they are becoming.

This wasn’t a game the Knicks controlled. It was a game they took, and they took it because Jalen Brunson refused to blink.

Brunson’s Poise, Anunoby’s Power, and a Third‑Quarter Surge

Brunson delivered 31 points, including six threes, and orchestrated the Knicks’ defining stretch: a 15–0 run in the third quarter that flipped the game’s rhythm and silenced a Philly crowd that had been roaring behind Embiid’s early dominance.

During that run, New York’s identity crystallized:

• OG Anunoby bullied his way to 23 points on 10‑of‑15 shooting.
• Josh Hart vacuumed up 13 rebounds and pushed the tempo.
• Mitchell Robinson anchored the interior with 10 boards and two blocks.
• Landry Shamet hit timely threes off the bench.
• And Brunson, as always, controlled the temperature.

The Knicks outscored Philadelphia 30–13 in the third, turning a halftime deficit into a double‑digit cushion.

Embiid’s Fourth‑Quarter Fury

But the Sixers weren’t done; they tried to mount a comeback.

Embiid detonated in the fourth, dragging Philadelphia back with a barrage of power moves, stepbacks, and rim pressure. He scored or assisted on nearly every meaningful possession during a 16–4 Sixers run, cutting New York’s lead to single digits and forcing Tom Thibodeau to burn timeouts just to slow the avalanche.

Tyrese Maxey added 22 points and six assists, including a pair of late threes that nearly flipped the game.

Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 14, and rookie VJ Edgecombe delivered a fearless 12, including a corner three that brought the arena to its feet.

But every time the Sixers threatened, New York found a counter.

Winning Plays in Winning Moments

The Knicks’ final minutes were a masterclass in composure:

• Brunson hit a late floater through contact.
• Anunoby hammered home a tip dunk that stopped a Philly surge cold.
• Shamet buried a dagger range three off a Brunson swing pass.
• Robinson sealed off Embiid on the final defensive stand, forcing a contested look that rimmed out.

Even with Karl-Anthony Towns fouling out, New York’s structure held.

The Knicks didn’t win because they were perfect; they won because they were connected.

Final Numbers That Mattered

Knicks (112)

• Jalen Brunson: 31 pts, 6 ast, 6–12 3PT
• OG Anunoby: 23 pts, 7 reb, 10–15 FG
• Josh Hart: 10 pts, 13 reb, 7 ast
• Mitchell Robinson: 6 pts, 10 reb, 2 blk
• Landry Shamet: 12 pts, 3–7 3PT off bench

New York shot 15–44 from three and dominated the glass 53–37, a decisive factor in a game that tightened late.

76ers (109)

• Joel Embiid: 38 pts, 11 reb, 5 ast
• Tyrese Maxey: 22 pts, 6 ast
• Kelly Oubre Jr.: 14 pts
• VJ Edgecombe: 12 pts
• Paul George: 14 pts

Philadelphia shot a strong 51% from the field, but New York’s offensive rebounding and third‑quarter surge proved too much to overcome.

What This Win Means

For the Knicks, this is the kind of road win that travels: physical, poised, and built on execution rather than streak shooting. They move to 52–28, tightening their grip on the East’s upper tier.

For the Sixers, the Embiid‑Maxey engine remains elite, but the supporting cast’s inconsistency and the third‑quarter collapse underline the gaps that still need closing.

New York didn’t just steal a win in Philadelphia—they survived a superstar at full burn, imposed their will in the game’s most volatile moments, and walked out with a victory that says more about their ceiling than any blowout ever could.

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