PHILADELPHIA \u2014 The Knicks played like their vacation hinged on the final result. <\/p>\n
The Sixers played like they were already in Cabo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And in the end, the Knicks were rewarded with an All-Star break that started a little earlier than expected. Their victory Wednesday over the 76ers was forged in the first quarter and secured by halftime, when the Knicks took a 30-point lead into the locker room before cruising to a 138-89 final, their largest margin of victory ever over their division foe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coach Mike Brown pulled all his starters for the last 10 minutes, then removed the second unit for the final seven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia. Getty Images<\/p>\n
See you in a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jose Alvarado, in his third game as a Knick, lit up the 76ers for a season-high 26 points in 19 minutes. The scrappy point guard was activated in the first quarter by a dustup with Philadelphia\u2019s Trendon Watford \u2014 which occurred in the aftermath of Mitchell Robinson being fouled hard by the Sixers forward \u2014 and the Knicks launched a game-breaking 27-9 run.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Knicks\u2019 Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wins the rebound over Philadelphia 76ers\u2019 Adem Bona, back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP<\/p>\n
Alvarado picked up his first technical foul for shoving Watford and subsequently connected on eight 3-pointers, tying his career best. <\/p>\n
He also finished with a season-high five steals, and with the Knicks outscoring the Sixers by 35 points in his 19 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns led a balanced scoring attack with a combined 43 points on 17-for-28 shooting, leaving Mike Brown\u2019s side with a 33-20 record before the weeklong break. The Knicks are on pace for roughly the same 51 wins as their last regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s happening on and off the Garden court\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Sixers (30-24) were missing Joel Embiid (knee) and overwhelmed by New York\u2019s defensive energy, cutting and ball movement. The Knicks, who didn\u2019t have OG Anunoby (toe), shot 53 percent and racked up a season-high 41 assists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a beatdown and a bounce back.\u00a0<\/p>\n