76ers Edge Knicks in Close Contest at Madison Square Garden
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Madison Square Garden
Quick answers
Who won Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks?
Philadelphia 76ers beat New York Knicks 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026.
Who was favored in Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks?
New York Knicks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -175 (about 64% implied). The underdog won.
The Philadelphia 76ers secured a narrow victory over the New York Knicks, winning 106-100 in a matchup that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams at Madison Square Garden. This game marked the second meeting of the season between the two franchises, with the 76ers now leading the series 2-0 after winning their previous encounter by a significant margin of 138-89 on February 12, 2026.
Entering this game, the Knicks had a home record of 0-1, while the 76ers boasted an away record of 1-0. The Knicks were looking to bounce back after a loss, while the 76ers aimed to extend their winning streak to three games. Over their last ten games, the Knicks held a record of 6-4, but they were on a one-game losing streak, averaging 111.2 points scored and allowing 108.3 points per game. In contrast, the 76ers also had a 6-4 record in their last ten games, but they were riding a two-game winning streak, with an average of 118.0 points scored and 114.8 points allowed.
At home, the Knicks had performed well with a record of 4-1 in their last five games, averaging 112.8 points scored and 102.4 points allowed. However, they struggled in their season opener at home. The 76ers, on the other hand, had a mixed performance away, with a 3-3 record in their last six away games, averaging 105.6 points scored and 108.8 points allowed.
In terms of injuries, the 76ers faced significant challenges, as four players were ruled out: Dean Wade (ankle), Tacko Fall (hip), Dominick Barlow (back), and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles). This absence of key players could have impacted their depth but did not prevent them from securing the win.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Knicks favored with a spread of -4.5, while the total for the game was set at 231.5. The moneyline reflected the Knicks at -175.0 and the 76ers at 145.0, indicating that the Knicks were expected to perform better at home despite their recent struggles.
The game was closely contested, with the 76ers managing to pull away in the fourth quarter. Key scoring plays included a 25-foot three-point jumper by Joel Embiid, which pushed the 76ers to a 102-98 lead. VJ Edgecombe contributed significantly with a dunk to extend the lead, followed by a running dunk from Tyrese Maxey, further solidifying their advantage. The Knicks attempted to rally back with a driving layup from Jalen Brunson, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
Overall, the game highlighted the resilience of the 76ers, particularly in the face of injuries, and showcased the competitive nature of the Knicks as they look to regain their footing in the season.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden promises to be an engaging contest as both teams look to kick off their seasons on a positive note. This game is particularly noteworthy as it features two teams with a recent history of competitive encounters, each eager to establish momentum early in the NBA season.
As both teams enter this game with a record of 0-0, the Knicks are coming off a mixed bag of performances in their last five games, having won two and lost three. Their most recent game was a victory against the Toronto Raptors, where they edged out a close contest with a score of 122-120. However, prior to that win, the Knicks suffered three consecutive losses, including a significant defeat to the 76ers just a couple of weeks ago, where they fell 120-97. This inconsistency has left them with a streak of one loss heading into the season opener.
On the other hand, the 76ers have also experienced a rocky road recently, recording two wins and three losses in their last five games. Their last encounter with the Knicks resulted in a strong performance, but they have since struggled, losing three consecutive games, including a close overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite this, they managed to secure a win against the Knicks earlier in October, which may provide them with a psychological edge going into this matchup.
When considering home and away performances, the Knicks have a solid home record of 4-1 in their last five games, averaging 112.8 points scored while allowing 102.4 points. Conversely, the 76ers have a more balanced away record of 3-3, averaging 105.6 points scored and 108.8 points allowed in their last five away games. The Knicks will be looking to leverage their home advantage at Madison Square Garden, a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate fans.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the teams are tied with a record of 2-2 in their last four meetings this season. The most recent encounter saw the 76ers dominate the Knicks, but earlier in the season, the Knicks had their moments of success against Philadelphia, including a win by a narrow margin. This back-and-forth nature of their rivalry adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming game.
Injury concerns could play a significant role in the outcome of this game, particularly for the 76ers, who will be without several key players. Dean Wade, Tacko Fall, Dominick Barlow, and Ariel Hukporti are all ruled out due to various injuries, while Anfernee Simons is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue. The absence of these players may impact the 76ers' depth and overall performance, potentially giving the Knicks an opportunity to capitalize on their weakened roster.
The betting lines provided by DraftKings indicate that the Knicks are favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 230.5 points for the game. The odds for the Knicks to win outright are listed at -175.0, while the 76ers are at 145.0. These odds reflect the expectations surrounding the matchup, with the Knicks being seen as the more likely victors.
As the game approaches, fans can expect to see how both teams adapt to the absence of key players and how they respond to their recent performances. The Knicks will aim to build on their home advantage and find consistency, while the 76ers will look to overcome their injury challenges and find a way to assert themselves in a tough environment. This season opener not only marks the beginning of a new chapter for both teams but also sets the stage for what could be a thrilling contest.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NY -4.5 | 231.5 o -108 / u -112 | Philadelphia 76ers +145 · New York Knicks -175 |
Injury report
- Dean WadeOutAnklePhiladelphia 76ers
- Tacko FallOutHipPhiladelphia 76ers
- Dominick BarlowOutBackPhiladelphia 76ers
- Ariel HukportiOutAchillesPhiladelphia 76ers
Leaders
- PointsJalen Brunson21New York Knicks
- AssistsAndre Drummond4New York Knicks
- ReboundsAndre Drummond14New York Knicks
- PointsTyrese Maxey28Philadelphia 76ers
- AssistsLeBron James7Philadelphia 76ers
- ReboundsJoel Embiid11Philadelphia 76ers
Recent form
New York Knicks
Last 10: 6-4Streak L1111.2 scored · 108.3 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L96-110vs Charlotte HornetsApr 12
- W112-95vs Toronto RaptorsApr 10
- W112-106vs Boston CelticsApr 9
- W108-105at Atlanta HawksApr 6
- W136-96vs Chicago BullsApr 3
- W130-119at Memphis GrizzliesApr 2
- L94-111at Houston RocketsApr 1
- L100-111at Oklahoma City ThunderMar 29
- L103-114at Charlotte HornetsMar 26
- W121-116vs New Orleans PelicansMar 24
Philadelphia 76ers
Last 10: 6-4Streak W2118 scored · 114.8 allowed per game3-3 away
- W126-106vs Milwaukee BucksApr 12
- W105-94at Indiana PacersApr 10
- L102-113at Houston RocketsApr 10
- L102-115at San Antonio SpursApr 7
- L93-116vs Detroit PistonsApr 4
- W115-103vs Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 3
- W153-131at Washington WizardsApr 1
- L109-119at Miami HeatMar 30
- W118-114at Charlotte HornetsMar 28
- W157-137vs Chicago BullsMar 25
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | - | 0 | W1 | 1.000 | 1 |
| Brooklyn | 0.5 | 0 | - | .000 | 0 |
| Toronto | 0.5 | 0 | - | .000 | 0 |
| New York | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
| Boston | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
Box score
| Stat | Philadelphia 76ers | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 37-89 | 35-94 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 11-40 | 11-33 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 33 |
| Free throws | 21-27 | 19-27 |
| Free throw % | 78 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 45 | 53 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 39 | 39 |
| Assists | 28 | 21 |
| Steals | 8 | 6 |
| Blocks | 10 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 24 | 16 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 44 |
| Fouls | 23 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 49 | 48 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter62-63LeBron James makes running layup (Jaylen Brown assists)
- 3rd Quarter64-63LeBron James makes running layup (Tyrese Maxey assists)
- 3rd Quarter64-66Josh Hart makes 24-foot three point jumper (Miles McBride assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-66Jaylen Brown makes 1-foot driving dunk (VJ Edgecombe assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-68Josh Hart makes driving layup (Landry Shamet assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-69Karl-Anthony Towns makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-72Karl-Anthony Towns makes 24-foot three point jumper (Landry Shamet assists)
- 3rd Quarter69-72Anfernee Simons makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Brown assists)
- 3rd Quarter69-73Jalen Brunson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter69-74Jalen Brunson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter72-74Anfernee Simons makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Brown assists)
- 3rd Quarter72-76Jalen Brunson makes 9-foot jumper
- 3rd Quarter74-76Tyrese Maxey makes driving layup (Joel Embiid assists)
- 3rd Quarter77-76Anfernee Simons makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Brown assists)
- 3rd Quarter80-76Jaylen Brown makes 23-foot three pointer (Tyrese Maxey assists)
- 3rd Quarter83-76Jaylen Brown makes 24-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)
- 4th Quarter83-78Andre Drummond makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter84-78Tyrese Maxey makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-78Tyrese Maxey makes 5-foot running pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter87-78Tyrese Maxey makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter87-80Landry Shamet makes 12-foot pullup jump shot (Andre Drummond assists)
- 4th Quarter88-80LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter88-83OG Anunoby makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jose Alvarado assists)
- 4th Quarter88-86Jose Alvarado makes 25-foot running jump shot (Josh Hart assists)
- 4th Quarter89-86Tyrese Maxey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter90-86Tyrese Maxey makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter93-86Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes 24-foot running jump shot (LeBron James assists)
- 4th Quarter93-88Karl-Anthony Towns makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter93-90Josh Hart makes running layup (Jose Alvarado assists)
- 4th Quarter96-90Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes 22-foot three point jumper (Tyrese Maxey assists)
- 4th Quarter96-92Karl-Anthony Towns makes driving layup (Jordan Clarkson assists)
- 4th Quarter96-95Karl-Anthony Towns makes 28-foot three point jumper (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 4th Quarter99-95Joel Embiid makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Brown assists)
- 4th Quarter100-95VJ Edgecombe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter100-98Karl-Anthony Towns makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jalen Brunson assists)
- 4th Quarter102-98VJ Edgecombe makes dunk (Joel Embiid assists)
- 4th Quarter104-98Tyrese Maxey makes 1-foot running dunk
- 4th Quarter104-100Jalen Brunson makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter105-100LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter106-100LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours New York Knicks, below favours Philadelphia 76ers.
Venue
- Madison Square GardenNew York, NY
- Attendance19812
- OfficialsJosh Tiven, Matt Myers, Justin Van Duyne
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