The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers after an incredible sequence in the final seconds of Game 2 on Monday night.
With just 27 seconds remaining and the Knicks trailing 101-96, Jalen Brunson hit a game-tying 3-pointer. Donte DiVincenzo then put the Knicks ahead for good with another trey, leading to bedlam at Madison Square Garden.
The wild sequence began when Brunson drove toward the basket and lost the ball. DiVincenzo scooped it up and found Brunson in the corner for a 3 that bounced off the rim and dropped through to trim the deficit to 101-99.
As the 76ers went to inbound the ball, Tyrese Maxey had it knocked loose and fell on it. Seemingly expecting a foul call, Maxey stayed on the ground, but Josh Hart stole it and kicked it to DiVincenzo for an open 3.
The shot didn’t drop, but Isaiah Hartenstein came down with the rebound and swung the ball to DiVincenzo for another chance. This time, the 3-pointer dropped, and the Garden erupted as the Knicks took a 102-101 lead.
The Knicks finished the game with a 104-101 win and will now head to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday night. This is the first time the Knicks have held a 2-0 series lead since the 2013 playoffs.
