The New York Knicks are on the verge of history. It's been over 26 years since the franchise last swept a playoff opponent—back when Patrick Ewing was holding down the paint. After a dominant 108-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, the Knicks have a golden opportunity to change that narrative in Sunday's Game 4.
New York has found its rhythm at the perfect time. After falling behind 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Knicks have rattled off six straight playoff wins. Both sides of the ball are clicking, and a sweep would send a loud message to the rest of the Eastern Conference. Here are three keys to closing out the series.
1. Mikal Bridges must stay aggressive
With OG Anunoby sidelined by a hamstring injury, Mikal Bridges stepped up in a major way in Game 3, scoring 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting. He sparked a decisive second-quarter run, dropping 10 points in the frame and giving the Knicks the breathing room they needed.
We knew Jalen Brunson would deliver—he finished with 33 points—but New York needed a second star to rise. Bridges answered the call. His two-way performance was arguably his best of the season, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns limited to just eight points in 26 minutes due to foul trouble.
Bridges has made a near-complete transformation from just two weeks ago. He's hunting his shot with more confidence and playing smart off the ball. When Brunson gets blitzed in the pick-and-roll, Bridges is there to capitalize. And with Towns emerging as a playmaker, Bridges is thriving as a cutter. He doesn't need to force anything—quick reads and decisive finishes are his recipe for success.
2. Defense on Tyrese Maxey must remain relentless
Bridges' biggest impact, though, has come on defense. His primary assignment throughout this series has been 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, and the Knicks' game plan is working. New York has been aggressive, blitzing Maxey in the pick-and-roll and forcing him into tough situations.
In Game 3, Maxey was efficient from the field (8-for-12) but was held to just 17 points in 44 minutes. That's a win for the Knicks' defense. By keeping Maxey from exploding, New York has neutralized Philadelphia's biggest offensive threat. The key in Game 4 is maintaining that same intensity—don't give Maxey any easy looks and keep forcing the ball out of his hands.
3. Keep the supporting cast involved
While Brunson and Bridges have carried the scoring load, the Knicks need contributions from the rest of the roster. Towns will look to bounce back from his foul-plagued outing, and players like Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have to stay ready. The Knicks' depth has been a weapon all season, and in a closeout game, every minute matters.
New York has the momentum, the confidence, and the game plan. Sunday afternoon is about execution. A sweep would be a statement—and a long-awaited one at that. Let's see if the Knicks can finish the job.