Knicks Crush 76ers After Towns' Pregame Antics

New York sets franchise record for largest win over Philadelphia

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The New York Knicks earned a dominant 49-point victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, led by a standout performance from Jose Alvarado. However, the story of the night was Karl-Anthony Towns' pregame antics, where he was spotted signing 76ers jerseys, including those of rival Joel Embiid.

Why it matters

The Knicks-76ers rivalry has been heated in recent years, with Embiid known for trash-talking Knicks fans. Towns' pregame actions were seen as an unusual move, adding an interesting subplot to the matchup.

The details

The Knicks broke a franchise record for their largest win over the 76ers, led by Alvarado's eight 3-pointers and five steals. Towns had a solid game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. However, before the game, Towns was caught on camera signing 76ers jerseys, including those of rival Embiid, which left Knicks fans baffled.

  • The Knicks faced the 76ers on Tuesday, February 13, 2026.
  • The Knicks will return to action after the All-Star break against the Detroit Pistons.
  • The Knicks and 76ers will not meet again unless they face off in the playoffs, as the regular season series finished tied 2-2.

The players

Karl-Anthony Towns

A star player for the New York Knicks who had a solid game against the 76ers, but drew attention for his unusual pregame actions.

Joel Embiid

The star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, who has a known rivalry with the Knicks and their fans.

Jose Alvarado

A key player for the Knicks, who had a standout performance in the win over the 76ers, knocking down eight 3-pointers and recording five steals.

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What’s next

Unless the Knicks and 76ers meet in the playoffs, their next regular season matchup will not come until next season.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the Knicks and 76ers, with Towns' unusual pregame actions adding an interesting subplot. The Knicks' dominant win showcased their ability to bounce back from a tough loss and set a franchise record, while also raising questions about the motivations behind Towns' actions.