In a true throwback to the ’90s, the Philadelphia 76ers edged the New York Knicks, 79-73, Sunday night in an ugly game televised nationally on ESPN.
The 152 combined points are the lowest in an NBA game since 2016. It’s no surprise that many across the NBA world contributed to the disaster.
The Sixers got a much-needed win on the road despite shooting just 38.8% and being without point guard Tyrese Maxey and reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way with 18 points, while Buddy Hield and Paul Reid combined for 29 points off the bench in the lackluster win.
Just two days after holding the Orlando Magic to 74 points, the Knicks recorded just 73 points on Sunday, the fewest of any NBA team since 2020. New York shot just 32.5% from the field in the loss and saw only three players finish in double figures. They also took a hit in the standings. At 37-27, they remain four games behind the third-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (41-23) and hold a slight edge over the fifth-seeded Magic (half a game) and sixth-seeded Sixers (one game) .
Unfortunately, another national audience, TNT, will be subjected to the second half of a home match between the two teams in two days. However, there may be reasons other than basketball to tune in.
Things got heated during Sunday’s game, leading to a brawl between the Sixers’ Oubre and Reed and the Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo. Afterwards, Oubre added some fuel to the fire, which could draw more attention to Tuesday’s bout.