The Philadelphia 76ers were going to need a miracle to rebound from a 3-0 series hole at the hands of the New York Knicks, but they didn't even give themselves a chance with the effort they put forth in the first half of Game 4. The Knicks used a 43-point first quarter to grab an 81-57 lead heading into halftime. With the lopsided score, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley took their opportunity to get a shot at the 76ers.
Shaq and Charles Barkley brought the brooms out at halftime of Game 4 ๐งน ๐
(via @espn) pic.twitter.com/aeYqo90ABT
โ ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 10, 2026
The 76ers were riding high after their 3-1 series comeback against the Boston Celtics in the first round. Some wondered whether that would lead them to an improbable run through the playoffs, but it now looks more like they won their championship with that series win and had nothing left against the Knicks.
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It was quite the switch-up from Barkley, who predicted that his former team would beat the Knicks in Game 4 and extend the series. While Barkley wanted Philadelphia to have some pride and show up for Game 4, it couldn't have been farther from the truth.
The 76ers had the experience from the first round to know the blueprint for coming back in a series, but an unhealthy Joel Embiid hasn't made things any easier for them against the Knicks. Embiid was hurt for the first three games of the Celtics series and made Philadelphia a different team when he returned. He missed Game 2 against the Knicks with an injury and is far from 100%.
It looks like Embiid will now have the offseason to get healthy for next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers were going to need a miracle to rebound from a 3-0 series hole at the hands of the New York Knicks, but they didn't even give themselves a chance with the effort they put forth in the first half of Game 4. The Knicks used a 43-point first quarter to grab an 81-57 lead heading into halftime.