Joel Embiid pointed directly to physicality and defensive breakdowns after the Philadelphia 76ers were overwhelmed 137-98 by the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“Mistakes tonight. Just not physical enough. They were comfortable, so we got to do a better job,” Embiid said, summarizing the tone of the loss.
Philadelphia struggled to match New York’s intensity as the Knicks shot 63% from the field and built a 40-point lead at one stage, continuing a postseason run defined by dominant margins.
Embiid suggested fatigue may have played a role, but rejected it as an excuse for the defensive collapse.
“Coming from the series we had and the physicality we displayed, I would like to think that maybe guys were tired. But it’s not an excuse. So on to game two.”
He also emphasized the need for immediate recovery and adjustment ahead of Game 2.
“Hopefully we get good rest, so we’re ready to go for the game. We’ve been playing every other day… just get good rest and go out and display the physicality we had last year.”
Embiid outlined a standard recovery approach focused on treatment and rest.
“Get off your feet, treatment. Nothing else you can do. Just get off your feet, treatment, and learn from what we did well today.”
The Philadelphia center also explained the team’s film review process after a heavy defeat, stressing correction over reaction.
“You review. You look at what you expected, what game plan you had. You see what worked and what didn’t. You make adjustments based on what you just saw.”
For Embiid, the margin of defeat does not change the approach heading into the next game.
“It doesn’t matter if you lost by one or 40 or 50. A loss is a loss, so you just got to go out there.”
Defensively, he pointed to breakdowns in connectivity and discipline as the main issue against a Knicks offense that featured balanced scoring from Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges.
“Our defense wasn’t good today… not physical enough. All their guys were just too comfortable. So I’m only focused on what we could have done better on the defensive end.”
The Knicks’ ball movement and spacing repeatedly created open looks, forcing Philadelphia into rotations that never stabilized throughout the game.
Embiid also referenced contact he felt during the game, including a sequence he believed crossed the line within the flow of playoff basketball.
“I got hit on it… I guess I got to protect it more,” he said, referring to his stomach area. “It was off a screen… I just felt like it wasn’t necessary, but we move on.”
Despite the frustration, he framed the series as a physical battle that must be met with equal intensity.
“If that’s the reality of it, I guess we got to go out and be physical to win, do it too.”
Game 2 will test whether Philadelphia can match New York’s pace and physical edge after a Game 1 performance that set a clear early tone in the series.
