Jalen Brunson poured in 35 as the Knicks crushed the 76ers 137-98 in Game 1, with Josh Hart pulling a playful prank on Jimmy Fallon.
A Madison Square Garden crowd watched the Knicks take control early, and they never looked back in Game 1.
New York routed the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 to grab first blood in their second-round series at MSG on Monday.. The headline performance came from Jalen Brunson. who scored 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting and delivered a major signal in the opening half with 27 points.. The Knicks’ offense set the rhythm almost immediately, forcing Philadelphia into a chase it could not sustain.
In this context, the margin mattered as much as the message: once New York’s lead built, the game turned into a statement rather than a contest.
Meanwhile, Josh Hart brought the lighter side of the night into a blowout that was already well out of reach.. With the outcome essentially decided. Hart played a prank on Jimmy Fallon. who was seated courtside. reportedly untying the shoes of the late-night host as Fallon made his way back toward the bench.. Hart’s sense of fun matched the way the Knicks were moving the ball and dictating play.
New York pushed the lead as high as 40, while the 76ers struggled to find cohesion throughout the night.. Extra rest coming off New York’s previous round also appeared to help. while Philadelphia arrived after a hard-fought Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. leaving the Sixers to deal with the toll of a grueling finish.
That kind of scheduling contrast often shows up in intensity and decision-making, and Game 1 looked like a clear example of it.
Hart contributed across the stat sheet as well, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in 26 minutes. The Knicks were simply more effective in nearly every phase, turning a potential series opener into a dominant performance.
With the win in hand, New York will look to carry momentum into Game 2 on Wednesday and take a commanding 2-0 lead. For now, Brunson set the tone on the court, and Hart made sure the evening included a memorable moment off it.
For MISRYOUM, the takeaway is simple: when a team wins by this margin and still finds time for personality, it suggests confidence is not only present, it is contagious.