The New York Knicks did not want to take their series with the Philadelphia 76ers to Game 7, as Jalen Brunson and Co. closed out the series on the road. After the Game 5 loss at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks faced a lot of criticism for letting Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey cover a 7-point deficit in the last 40 seconds. The Knicks took notes and changed a few things this time. But the truth here is that the Knicks must give credit for a part of their victory to Charles Barkley, who pointed out the team’s flaw from Game 5. 

The New York Knicks’ offense was on point this entire series. Coming to defense, there were a few flaws, especially in the fundamentals, which cost them two games this series. In Game 5, the Knicks were up 3 points with less than 10 seconds left on the shot clock. Surprisingly, the New York unit decided to let Maxey take a deep three-pointer, which eventually cost them the game. Barkley pin-pointed this on Inside the NBA and the Knicks seem to have taken notes of this. 

In the game today, the Knicks fouled the Sixers when there were only 10 seconds left on the clock. Like Game 5, the lead was 3 points this time as well. The Knicks stuck to making free throws and fouling the Sixers, which helped them seal the win. 

Two days back, Charles Barkley had criticized the Knicks, “I’ve [said] on the show all these years that I’d foul 100% of the time, 100% of the time. It’s just a bonehead play in my opinion. I want the lead and the ball. The two most important things in the basketball game...I’m gonna always foul a guy in that situation. You can see on coach Thibodeau’s face those guys screwed that up.” 

Sadly, it was a genuine mistake from the Knicks.

Why did the New York Knicks let Tyrese Maxey take a three in Game 5? OG Anunoby explains 

Knicks forward OG Anunoby shared the reason behind the mistake by his team. He shared, “Yeah, we talked about [fouling Maxey] but…It happened so fast. But yeah, it was said.” There was enough time for the Knicks’ guards to foul Maxey. He started from the other end in the 11th second and released the ball around the 8th second. Knicks guard Josh Hart believes it was a miscommunication that led to the loss. 

Hart said, “We didn’t relay that, and I think that’s an error on the guys on the court…We got to make sure we know what the situation is. But we can’t do anything about it now.” Miles McBride, who guarded Maxey in Game 5, shared, “Probably should have been up on him a little bit more.“ The Game 5 loss was bitter for everyone on the Knicks roster, but they recovered by fixing the basics. Knicks in 6 indeed!  

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