Mitchell Robinson ignites Knicks’ comeback in victory over 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The New York Knicks had lost nine out of their last 11 games prior to decisively defeating their city rivals, the Brooklyn Nets, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

However, overcoming the struggling Nets was one challenge, while facing a potential playoff contender in the Philadelphia 76ers in South Philadelphia presented another. Despite a chaotic final minute that included successful reviews by both teams to overturn calls, New York achieved a 112-109 victory, marking their second consecutive win, bolstered by a strong defensive performance in the second half.

“We locked in defensively,” stated Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who played a crucial role in the positive developments for New York after halftime. “We returned from halftime to assess what we were lacking, especially myself. Defensively in the first half, I didn’t perform too well.

“But definitely in the second half, I came with more energy.”

This shift in energy coincided with Karl-Anthony Towns leaving the game due to foul trouble just a few minutes into the third quarter, allowing Robinson to enter. Towns, who was questionable before the game due to back spasms and appeared to be affected by them during his time on the court, recorded 10 points and 6 rebounds in 16 minutes before fouling out. He played only four minutes in the second half after accumulating three fouls.

“Obviously we want him in the game, but it’s a next man up mentality,” remarked Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points and provided 6 assists in 38 minutes. “We have to find a way to execute our game plan to the best of our abilities and try to extend our lead or regain the lead. We need to continue playing with pace, maintaining good defense, being physical, and returning to our style of play.”

Robinson contributed significantly to the Knicks’ efforts as, after trailing 68-65 early in the third, they finished the quarter with a 25-9 run, limiting Embiid — who concluded the game with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in 36 minutes — to no points in that quarter.

New York entered the fourth quarter with a 13-point advantage, and although Philadelphia made a push in the final moments, the Knicks ultimately maintained their lead.

“When you’re a team that is struggling to secure wins, you have to focus on the little things,” said Knicks forward Josh Hart, who recorded 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. “You need to have good attention to detail, strong focus, and high energy, and you must secure all those 50-50 balls. I believe we accomplished that, came out strong in the second half, and while we didn’t finish the fourth as we intended, we secured the win.”

All hustle statistics favored New York. The Knicks recorded 19 rebounds compared to Philadelphia’s 6, resulting in a 26-4 advantage in second-chance points. This allowed the Knicks to attempt 16 additional shots during the game.

However, following an impressive sequence from OG Anunoby, who executed a tip-dunk off a missed shot, made a corner 3-pointer, and assisted on a Landry Shamet 3-pointer on three consecutive possessions to give New York an 8-point lead with 42.9 seconds remaining, a series of errors allowed Philadelphia a chance to tie the game with the ball and 9.9 seconds left.

On the subsequent inbounds pass, 76ers star Tyrese Maxey believed he was fouled by Shamet and attempted a 40-footer in hopes of drawing a three-shot foul — only for referee Kevin Cutler to not call anything, resulting in Maxey shooting an airball and returning possession to New York.

“I should’ve taken one more dribble and shot it,” said Maxey, who finished with 22 points and 6 assists in 38 minutes.

After Brunson was fouled, he missed two consecutive free throws, providing Philadelphia another opportunity to tie the game. However, although it seemed Brunson may have fouled Embiid while bringing the ball up the court, no foul was called, the clock expired, and the game concluded.

A pool report with crew chief Tony Brothers after the game provided the same response regarding both calls: “During the game, we did not observe any illegal contact on the play.”

Sunday’s Last Two Minute report will clarify whether fouls should have been called, but that will offer little consolation to the 76ers, who are still feeling aggrieved over a clear goaltend not being called 48 hours earlier in the closing seconds against the Houston Rockets, although Philadelphia ultimately won that game.

For the Knicks, this victory represents another positive step as the team begins to recover after a 2-9 record in the 11 games leading up to Wednesday’s win over Brooklyn.

“Yes, it is good, but it’s also January,” Hart noted. “You can’t get too high or too low. I think that’s the most important thing. I think that’s where you all can write whatever you want. Three games ago we were on the verge of becoming a lottery team, and now you all are saying, ‘Oh, they’re contending in the East.’ So that’s for you to decide. For us, we’re aiming to stay level-headed and not get too high or too low.”