The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric, with chants of “Deuuuuuce!” echoing throughout the arena as Deuce McBride, Jalen Brunson’s backup, delivered a standout performance in the New York Knicks’ 111-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

While Brunson and Josh Hart contributed 22 points each, Brunson deflected praise to McBride when asked about the key to the Knicks’ victory. McBride’s impressive 21-point performance, including 13 points in the second quarter, played a pivotal role in securing the win for the Knicks.

Despite Joel Embiid’s 29 points for the 76ers, McBride’s stellar play, alongside Hart’s clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, propelled the Knicks to victory. Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson also made significant contributions off the bench, with Robinson’s defensive efforts against Embiid proving crucial.

The Knicks, led by McBride and the reserves, outscored the 76ers by substantial margins throughout the game, showcasing the depth and balance of their roster. Despite Embiid’s return to the game after a brief injury scare, the Knicks maintained their composure and capitalized on their balanced scoring attack to secure the win.

With Game 2 on the horizon, both teams will look to make adjustments and come back stronger in the next matchup. But for now, the Knicks can celebrate their Game 1 triumph, buoyed by the impressive performances of their supporting cast.