The 2024 playoffs are underway, and they are living up to the hype. Several series have delivered on their pre-playoff expectations. However, few playoff matchups could rival the historic significance, excitement, and competitiveness between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. The series has had several flashpoints, but one that has caused the most outrage is Joel Embiid’s flagrant foul on Mitchell Robinson in Game 3.

The incident occurred in the first quarter of Game 3. With less than 5 minutes left in the 1st quarter, Joel Embiid tried holding Mitchell Robinson’s knee as he attempted to go for a dunk. Several fans of the New York Knicks felt that Embiid should have been ejected from the game because of the foul. However, the refs deemed it to be a flagrant 1 foul. Buoyed by the decision going his way, Embiid went on to drop a playoff career-high 50 points, along with 8 rebounds. As a result, the Sixers went on to win the game by a scoreline of 125-114.

The New York Knicks and their fans have been very vocal in dismissing this controversial moment. However, ESPN’s broadcasting team during the T-Wolves vs. the Suns didn’t care, roasting the Knicks and their fanbase. The incident occurred when Rudy Gobert went for a dunk, but the Suns’ Josh Okogie swooped in from behind and fouled him. Replays clearly showed Okogie hitting Gobert on the head, and the refs didn’t waste any time. They called it a flagrant two-foul, ejecting Okogie from the game. ESPN’s broadcasting team took note of the decision and said, “We know what Knicks fans are thinking.”

Fans of the New York Knicks weren’t pleased by this apparent jab. Moreover, now they’re focusing on Game 4 of the series, which takes place later tonight at the Wells Fargo Center.

Can the New York Knicks bounce back in Game 4?

The Philadelphia 76ers made the series more competitive, as they won Game 3 at home on the back of Joel Embiid’s 50-point performance. Apart from Embiid, Tyrese Maxey also made a significant contribution, scoring 25 points and dishing out 7 dimes. However, repeating this feat may be more challenging in Game 4.

One of the primary threats the Sixers would have to deal with is Jalen Brunson. The 27-year-old has had a great season, even becoming a first-time All-Star. He finished the regular season averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 77 games. Brunson has also maintained his stellar regular season form into the playoffs, averaging 28.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 3 games.

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Apart from Brunson, the New York Knicks also possess defensive studs like OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson. This group of players is responsible for New York’s defense ranking as the 10th-best in the league. Furthermore, Donte DiVincenzo’s emerging status as one of the best 3-point shooters in the league has taken the Knicks to the next level, offensively.

DiVincenzo finished the regular season with 283 made 3-pointers, which is the third most in the NBA. With a well-rounded roster, the Knicks remain one of the few teams with a legitimate chance of winning the title. But can they overcome the Sixers?