If you thought the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs updates were chaotic, the second round just delivered an absolute statement. The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Philadelphia 76ers—they completely dismantled them. After a crushing 144-114 victory in Game 4 last night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philly, the Knicks officially completed the 4-0 sweep. They are packing their bags and heading to the Eastern Conference Finals, and they are doing it with a level of dominance we haven’t seen in modern NBA history.
Here is a look at how the Knicks broke the bracket, and where the rest of the second-round matchups currently stand. Here are some NBA Playoffs updates:
NBA Playoffs Updates – Knicks Through to ECF
1. The “Nova Knicks” Are a Juggernaut
When the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau last year and brought in Mike Brown as the new head coach, there were massive questions about the team’s identity. Those questions have been violently answered.
- The Historic Margins: New York isn’t just winning; they are blowing teams off the floor. Dating back to their first-round series against Atlanta and continuing into Game 1 against Philly (a 137-98 absolute demolition), the Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win three straight postseason games by at least 25 points.
- The Chemistry: The Villanova core is clicking at a terrifying level. Jalen Brunson is playing like the best guard on the planet right now, while Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart provide relentless two-way pressure. Add in Karl-Anthony Towns playing the best all-around basketball of his career (he is literally dropping playoff triple-doubles) and a ridiculously efficient OG Anunoby, and you have a roster with zero glaring weaknesses.
2. The Old Guard is Getting Swept Out West
While the Knicks are resting up and waiting for their ECF opponent, a similar changing of the guard is happening in the Western Conference.
- Thunder vs. Lakers: Remember when everyone was hyped for LeBron vs. KD in the first round? Well, the Lakers survived that, but they are completely gassed. The #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder are currently up 3-0 on Los Angeles, absolutely suffocating them with youth and pace. The Thunder have won their first three games by 18, 18, and 23 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is about to pull out the brooms tonight in Game 4.
3. The Grinders (Pistons and Spurs)
The other two series are actual dogfights.
- Pistons vs. Cavaliers: The 60-win Detroit Pistons barely survived a near-collapse in the first round, and they are in another grind right now. They currently hold a 2-1 lead over Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs, but Cleveland showed life with a Game 3 win.
- Spurs vs. Timberwolves: San Antonio dropped Game 1, but Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs have bounced back to take a 2-1 series lead over Anthony Edwards and Minnesota. This series is an absolute physical war in the paint.
The Verdict
The sportsbooks have officially shifted, and the math is undeniable: The New York Knicks are the heavy favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
They are rested, they are historically efficient, and they have the deepest rotation left in the bracket. If you are a Knicks fan, enjoy the week off. If you are a fan of whoever survives the Pistons/Cavs series, you need to start praying right now.