2026 NBA Playoffs Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Conference Semifinals | Knicks look to defend home court versus 76ers
Check out the best from Wednesday's action in the 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals with our live blog.
Ben Lambert, for NBA.com
Updated on May 7, 2026 1:35 AM
Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to take home court advantage from the New York Knicks on ESPN. Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Wednesday’s action.
Tonight’s ESPN doubleheader opens with the Knicks looking to keep home court advantage at Madison Square Garden against the 76ers (7 ET), followed by the Timberwolves looking to take another from the Spurs in San Antonio (9:30 ET).
Last night’s live blog: Pistons, Thunder open Conference Semifinals with wins
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What we know after Tuesday’s games: Teams that take a 2-0 lead in the Conference Finals have gone on to win 111 out of 119 series (93.3%) in NBA history. The 2024 Indiana Pacers were the last to overcome such a deficit, coming back against the New York Knicks.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:34 ET
Knicks take the lead late 101-99 with 4:01 to go in the fourth quarter. Philly may be gassing out, missing their last five shots, including a wide-open 3-point look from Tyrese Maxey. Mike Brown decided to call timeout — the Knicks had four — which gives the Sixers a breath. Will they rally late with home court advantage on the line?
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:30 ET
Tied in New York 96-all with 6:56 to go in the fourth quarter. Dominic Barlow (6 pts, 2 reb in 11:20) has given the Sixers notable minutes with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond in foul trouble. His mobility and hustle has cluttered up the floor for the Knicks and provided a roll option.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:16 ET
Sixers lead 90-89 after three. It’s been a battle all night in Madison Square Garden, where we’ve seen 22 lead changes and 10 ties. Watch to see if Jalen Brunson (18 pts on 17 shots) or Tyrese Maxey (21 pts on 16 shots) can get loose in the fourth quarter. The Sixers have Edgecombe on Brunson; Bridges is chasing Maxey. One of the All-Star point guards could decide tonight’s contest.
MAY 6, 2026 / 9:00 ET
Knicks take the lead. Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 5 ast) is a wrecking ball, putting up 10 points so far in the quarter. He’s 6-of-6 from the field so far. KAT gets it to fall through contact 😤 17 PTS (5-5 FGM) 💯 Knicks trail by 2 in Q3 of Game 2! pic.twitter.com/RQMkhQsscA — NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026. He’s piled up five fouls on Adem Bona, including a bully-ball drive for an and-one a moment ago, and four on Andre Drummond. 80-79 Knicks with 4:53 to go in the third quarter.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:49 ET
Sixers stay up into the third 72-70 with 8:22 to go in the third quarter, as Karl-Anthony Towns (14 pts) heads to the line for an and-one opportunity after taking Andre Drummond off the dribble. That’s three fouls on Drummond, which could matter, given Philly’s limited center depth. Paul George (16 pts) and VJ Edgecombe (12 pts) have hit 3-pointers in this quarter, while Towns has racked up five quick points for the Knicks.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:27 ET
76ers up 62-61 at the break. Tyrese Maxey (19 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) has the Sixers in a competitive position going into the second half, buoyed by strong performances from Paul George (13 pts) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (10 pts). The Knicks (24-of-45, 53.3%) are outshooting the Sixers (20-of-41, 48.8%) from the field, but Philadelphia has been money from beyond the arc. They’re 8-of-17 (47.1%); the Knicks are 3-of-12 (25%). New York’s earned a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint, taking advantage of the space left by the absence of Joel Embiid, and has been successful on the break, creating a 15-6 gap in fast break points. But Maxey’s brilliance, including 15 second quarter points, has Philly up. His Playoff career high is 46, set against the Knicks in 2024. Jalen Brunson (16 pts), OG Anunoby (13 pts) and Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts) are all in double figures for the Knicks.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:15 ET
Knicks tie it up 54-all with 3:19 to go in the second quarter. Josh Hart stymied Maxey on the last possession, prompting a fast break, then found Bridges for the alley-oop slam to send the Garden crowd into raptures.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:12 ET
Switching up on Maxey. The Knicks have put Mikal Bridges on Maxey, seeking to end his hot streak. The former Villanova wing forced an awkward layup on the first possession, but Tyrese dropped off a pass to Oubre (10 pts) for a dunk on the second one. He’s gotten into the lane twice.
MAY 6, 2026 / 8:07 ET
Tyrese Maxey has it flowing. Maxey’s now up to 14 points in the quarter and 18 for the contest, dicing Deuce McBride with a series of pull-up jumpers and some post moves, which Richard Jefferson likened to the stylings of Kyrie Irving, Gary Payton and Sam Cassell. Tyrese Maxey is heating up in Game 2 🔥 12 PTS in Q2. 16 for the game. pic.twitter.com/bWSkHmdrMv — NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2026. Sixers have a 50-46 lead with 6:00 to go in the second. Kelly Oubre Jr. (8 pts) is also surging, knocking down 3-of-4 shots so far, including two 3-pointers.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:54 ET
Sixers up 33-31 after one. We’ve seen 10 lead changes and four ties, as Paul George (11 pts) and Tyrese Maxey (8 pts, 4 reb) hit the ground running for Philadelphia. Jalen Brunson (9 pts, 3 ast) got uncorked in the last 1:39, scoring the last seven points for New York over the end of the period.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:44 ET
Edgecombe on Brunson. Jalen Brunson’s been held to 2 points on 0-of-3 shooting so far. He’s being dogged by VJ Edgecombe, who ably denied him the ball on the last possession. Sixers up 26-24 with 1:56 to go in the first quarter.
MAY 6, 2026 / 7:26 ET
Paul George on the attack. George has 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, as Philadelphia takes a 15-12 lead with 6:29 to go in the first quarter. PG is 4-for-4 to start Game 2 💯 11 PTS 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/xhsqLL2bJc — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026. The nine-time All-Star’s Playoff career high is 41 points, set in 2021 with the LA Clippers against the Phoenix Suns.
MAY 6, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Starting Lineups: 76ers-Knicks, Game 2
Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers look to even the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks on ESPN.
Philadelphia:
PG Tyrese Maxey — Maxey was held to just 13 points in Game 1. The 76ers will need to find a way to get him loose in Game 2.
SG VJ Edgecombe — The all-around wing out of Baylor could see more usage with Joel Embiid out.
SF Paul George — George, who led the Sixers with 17 points in Game 1, is now 8-6 against OG Anunoby all-time.
PF Kelly Oubre Jr. — Can Oubre Jr. give the 76ers a lift? He has the potential to steal one of these games. His Playoff career-high of 19 points came against the Knicks in 2024.
C Adem Bona — The UConn product rolls and finishes hard. He and Andre Drummond have been a capable duo all season with Joel Embiid ailing.
New York:
PG Jalen Brunson — Brunson was en fuego in Game 1, scoring 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting. The Knicks are 7-2 all-time when he scores that many points on such a shooting clip.
SG Josh Hart — Hart did his thing, chipping in every aspect of Game 1. Can a smaller Philly team keep him off the glass?
SF Mikal Bridges — The Philadelphia native just keeps cruising along. He has the longest consecutive games played streak in the NBA, and makes effort look easy out there.
PF OG Anunoby — Anunoby scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in Game 1. Hard to beat the Knicks when he’s that efficient.
C Karl-Anthony Towns — Towns is averaging 6.0 assists per game during the Playoffs so far. Over his five previous Playoff runs, he never put up more than 2.6 apg.
MAY 6, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Wednesday’s injury report: Joel Embiid is out for the 76ers, while Tyrese Maxey is available. Mitchell Robinson is questionable. Ayo Dosunmu is available for the Timberwolves, while Anthony Edwards is questionable.
Related
The Athletic: Josh Hart is the ultimate glue guy — Hart remains an example of the street sweeper mindset. He does not need the ball to make an impact, and he understands who he is.
Sixers must slow down Brunson in Game 2 — Jalen Brunson's tear continued into Game 1 of the East semis, giving Philadelphia a clear to-do list for Game 2.
Wemby's blocks will be key in Game 2 — Victor Wembanyama's minutes and defensive presence are among the factors to watch in Game 2 of the West semifinals.
Embiid (ankle, hip) sidelined for Game 2 — Philadelphia's standout big man will miss Game 2 because of injuries to his ankle and hip.