76ers vs Knicks: Key Game Preview for Fans
76ers vs Knicks: Game Preview
Happy New Year! I hope 2026 has started as well for you as it did for the Philadelphia 76ers, who had one of their finer performances of the season in taking down the Dallas Mavericks, 123-108, on New Year’s Day. Now, the Sixers will head back up to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks, where they just won a couple of weeks ago, 116-107, behind a combined 53 points from the starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Expected Reinforcements for the Sixers
Tonight, they should have reinforcements in the frontcourt, as Joel Embiid is listed as probable for what would be his first game playing at the Garden since the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The big man would be taking the court for his third game in five days, which marks a significant step forward from earlier management of his knee injury. In the previous two wins, he played a season-high 38 minutes against Memphis and tallied an efficient 22 points and six assists against Dallas.
Young Guards Leading the Charge
Still, the Sixers franchise is now firmly in the hands of their young guards. After a mini-slump towards the end of December, Maxey has put up consecutive 34-point games with double-digit assists. He currently ranks fourth in All-Star fan voting, showcasing his immense talent this season. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, performing like a clutch player, has been impressive as well, demonstrating his defensive skills by blocking shots mid-air.
Injury Updates
Philadelphia has a relatively clean injury report for tonight, with only a few players out. They’ll be catching the Knicks on the tail end of a back-to-back after New York lost, 111-99, to Atlanta yesterday. Key players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson are expected back for the Knicks.
Exciting Matchup Ahead
This evening promises to be a thrilling watch. Edgecombe did a terrific job on Jalen Brunson in the last meeting, which adds competitive tension to the game. Wins against Memphis and Dallas have built momentum, but nothing beats taking down the Knicks in front of their home crowd.
Game Details
- When: Saturday, January 3, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA TV
- Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.