The New York Knicks’ offense is firing on all cylinders. Their performance has been described as being in a flow state. It’s more than just scoring; it’s a synchronised system, likened to vinyasa with a basketball.
Knicks’ Offensive Onslaught in Game 1
New York made 53 of its 84 shots in a 137-98 blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Knicks are executing plays seamlessly, demonstrating a counter for every defensive move. Individuals are playing with confidence, elevating the team’s overall performance.
OG Anunoby scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting as part of the Knicks’ offensive onslaught. According to head coach Mike Brown, the team is embracing concepts on both ends of the court at the highest level. He said that when they do, it doesn’t really matter what you call or initiates the action because guys are trying to play the right way.
The Evolution of the Knicks’ Offense
Mike Brown envisioned this offensive system when he took over last summer. He wanted a system that didn’t always need play calls but, instead, had concepts that generated a whistling flow while erasing predictability. The goal was for players to transition smoothly from one action to the next, creating advantageous situations and preventing the defense from anticipating their moves.
There were challenges early in the season. At one point, New York reverted to a similar offense used by Brown’s predecessor to leverage the players’ strengths and reduce confusion. Now, in the playoffs, the Knicks appear more comfortable executing the system that once challenged them, resulting in dominant performances.
Dominating the Opposition
Dating back to Game 4 against the Hawks in the first round, New York has outscored its opponents by 135 points. The team has scored over 125 points in three of those four games. Everyone on the team is contributing to the offensive surge.
The Athletic has live coverage of 76ers vs. Knicks in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
This is a Jalen Brunson series, meaning the 76ers don’t appear to have the defensive infrastructure to slow down one of the game’s greatest scorers.