PHILADELPHIA — Mitchell Robinson’s defense flipped the momentum after halftime, helping the New York Knicks rally past the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 on Saturday night, Jan. 24, 2026.
New York trailed 68-65 early in the third quarter when Karl-Anthony Towns, limited by back spasms, picked up his fourth foul and left the floor. Robinson checked in and anchored a 25-9 run that pushed the Knicks in front for good. During the surge, Joel Embiid was held scoreless; the eventual MVP candidate finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in 36 minutes.
“We locked in defensively,” Robinson said. “I didn’t do great in the first half, but the second half I came with more energy.”
Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points and 6 assists in 38 minutes, while Josh Hart contributed 10 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Towns logged 10 points and 6 boards in 16 minutes before fouling out, appearing in only four minutes after the break.
The Knicks dominated hustle categories, owning a 19-6 edge in rebounds after halftime and a 26-4 advantage in second-chance points, which produced 16 additional shot attempts.
OG Anunoby delivered a pivotal sequence inside the final minute: a tip-dunk, a corner three and a drive-and-kick that set up Landry Shamet’s three, extending the margin to 108-100 with 42.9 seconds remaining. Philadelphia narrowed the gap when Tyrese Maxey (22 points, 6 assists) and Embiid scored, and two replay reviews overturned calls in the chaotic closing stretch.
With 9.9 seconds left, Maxey launched a 40-foot heave expecting a foul that was never called, resulting in an air ball and a turnover. Brunson then missed two free throws, giving the 76ers one more possession, but the clock expired as Embiid advanced the ball amid contact that also went unwhistled.
Crew chief Tony Brothers told a pool reporter the officials “did not observe any illegal contact.” The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report is expected Sunday.
The victory gives New York back-to-back wins after a 2-9 skid. “You can’t get too high or too low,” Hart said. “We have to keep that level head.”
Source: ESPN
