The lights are bright, the stakes feel bigger, and the math says it should be tight. The Philadelphia 76ers (14-11) visit the New York Knicks (19-7) at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, with tip set for 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video and MSG. Oddsmakers lean New York by a few points, and the total is pegged at 225.5, signaling a balanced game with star power on both sides.

December basketball at the Garden can shape seeds later. The Knicks have banked wins early. The Sixers want a statement road scalp. And the injury lists add a layer of unknown that could swing the night.

Why Knicks–76ers at MSG matters tonight

New York’s 19-7 start speaks to consistency and composure. Even with bodies missing, the Knicks have found answers in their half-court sets and timely threes. For Philadelphia, a 14-11 mark hints at upside still to come, especially with Joel Embiid anchoring the paint and Paul George spacing the floor at a high clip.

There’s also the simple truth of a rivalry that always plays up at MSG. The crowd, the camera angles, the late-game drama—these teams feel the moment.

“If Brunson cooks late and Embiid gets doubled, who blinks first?”

Latest NBA injury report: Knicks and 76ers updates

The official 1:30 p.m. ET NBA report lists several notable absences and designations for PHI@NYK. For Philadelphia: Johni Broome (G League – on assignment) is out; Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee sprain) is out; Hunter Sallis (G League – two-way) is out; Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) is out. For New York: Pacome Dadiet (right thumb sprain) is probable; Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery) is out; Trentyn Flowers (G League – two-way) is out; Tre Jones (left hamstring tightness) is probable. The report also notes multiple G League/two-way outs, including Emanuel Miller, Enrique Freeman, Rocco Zikarsky, and Lachlan Olbrich. One listing was marked as questionable with a right foot issue, but the player was not specified in the summary.

Additional injury notes in the summary list the Knicks’ Josh Hart (abdomen), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Mitchell Robinson (ankle), Miles McBride (ankle), and Landry Shamet (shoulder) as out. For Philadelphia, Hunter Sallis is mentioned as day-to-day with a shoulder sprain. Availability can change close to tip, but on paper, New York may again need creative answers up front to soak up minutes in the paint.

• 76ers confirmed out: Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford; plus G League assignments.
• Knicks key outs (per added notes): Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet.
• Probable for Knicks: Pacome Dadiet (thumb), Tre Jones (hamstring).

“No KAT or Mitch? Embiid should live at the line unless the Knicks swarm.”

Odds, spread and total for Knicks vs 76ers

Books have New York as a short home favorite, between -4.5 and -5.5, with the total at 225.5. The spread reflects New York’s form and home court, but also respect for Embiid and Paul George as shot makers who can flip a game in a few trips.

The 225.5 total suggests a controlled pace with enough star scoring. If the Knicks’ defense turns the paint into a crowd and runs shooters off the line, an under lean could make sense. If George’s threes fall early and Brunson’s midi game is automatic late, this can glide over.

Star power: Brunson, Embiid and George set the tone

Jalen Brunson’s engine has powered the Knicks. He is posting 32.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2 steals, and 2.5 made threes. That blend of scoring, control, and poise in clutch time has become New York’s identity.

On the wings, OG Anunoby (20 PTS, 6 REB, 2.5 AST, 2.5 STL, 0.5 BLK, 2.5 3PM) brings two-way bite, while Mikal Bridges (19 PTS, 5.5 REB, 4 AST, 0.5 BLK, 2 3PM) stretches defenses and guards top matchups. Rookie guard Tyler Kolek adds table-setting (10 PTS, 4.5 REB, 7.5 AST, 1 STL), keeping the ball humming. Karl-Anthony Towns is listed in the summary at 14.5 PTS and a triple threat, but he’s also noted as out with a knee issue, which would impact spacing and size.

For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid remains the centerpiece at 30.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 1.5 made threes. He draws doubles, he punishes single coverage, and he shifts whistle pressure. Paul George’s line (29 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.5 BLK, 5.5 3PM) shows the volume and range that can tilt a road game fast.

“This might be Brunson’s midrange vs. George’s three-ball. Pick your poison.”

X-factors and swing stats at the Garden

Paint vs. perimeter: If the Knicks are light on bigs, they may trap or front Embiid. That puts a premium on second- and third-rotations and on weak-side rebounding. For Philly, clean entry passes and quick kick-outs to George will test New York’s closeouts.

Turnovers: Brunson’s calm limits live-ball mistakes. But if the Sixers turn stops into transition threes, the math gets hard for the home team. Conversely, Embiid turnovers under pressure can swing a quarter.

The three-point battle: The total sits near a midline because both teams can control pace. If George’s 5.5 threes trend holds and New York’s wings match him, the scoreboard will move.

How to watch Knicks vs 76ers

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden. The game airs on Amazon Prime Video and MSG.

Prediction lean and what to watch for

Given the listed injuries, the Knicks may lean into quick help on Embiid, trusting their wings to recover and contest. That puts pressure on Philly’s ball movement and on George’s shot quality. On the other end, Brunson’s decision-making against length will be the chess match of the night.

The market has this within two possessions for a reason. If New York limits second-chance points and keeps turnovers low, the slight edge belongs to the home team. If Embiid lives at the line and George hits early threes, the Sixers have a real path to steal it.

Either way, this should look and feel like a playoff game in December: heavy matchups, short rotations, and every trip mattering.

Note: Injury statuses reflect the NBA’s 1:30 p.m. ET report and additional listings included in the provided summary. Final availabilities can change near tip.