Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

76ers Beat Knicks in 1st NBA Game Since 2016 in Which Neither Team Scored 80 Points

zach bachar

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks made some history with a low-scoring affair on Sunday night.

The 76ers earned a victory by the final score of 79-73, representing the first game to feature both teams failing to reach 80 points since January 2016.

All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 19 points, although he shot just 6-22 from the field. Kelly Oubre Jr. paced the 76ers with 18 points of his own, hitting a mere six of his 19 field-goal attempts.

Both teams failed to shoot 40 percent from the field, while their accuracy from behind the arc was unsightly. The Knicks connected on 23 percent of their 40 three-point attempts, while the 76ers made 30 percent of their triples while taking 30 long-range shots.

It's worth noting that each team was dealing with injuries to players that likely would have boosted the final score. Philadelphia was missing the All-Star duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Meanwhile, the Knicks were playing without Julius Randle and O.G. Anunoby.

New York previously held the Orlando Magic to 74 points on Friday, representing the lowest single-game point total by a team in the 2023-24 season. Two days later, the Knicks now own the new mark.

It was still an important win for a Philadelphia team that is looking to avoid the play-in tournament, as the 76ers currently own the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 36-28. The Knicks fell to 37-27, holding the No. 4 seed.

The two teams are set to face off again on Tuesday in a game that will likely feature some better offensive efficiency compared to Sunday night's action.

   

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