76ers star Kelly Oubre Jr.’s Game 1 antics leaves Karl-Anthony Towns smiling

The New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals as two of the most battle-tested teams in the conference. New York advanced after a six-game series win over Atlanta and Philadelphia mounted a 3-1 comeback against Boston, marking the franchise’s first playoff series win since 2023.

However, even as critics and the NBA community may be sizing up the two teams against each other, Kelly Oubre Jr., had his own sizing up to do during Game 1 of the semis. The 30-year-old, who is listed at 6-foot-8, is only a few inches shorter than Karl-Anthony Towns, who is listed at a clean 7-foot.

Kelly Oubre had to measure himself next to Karl-Anthony Towns pic.twitter.com/rlfZhKB5if

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 5, 2026

However, per a clip on X by ClutchPoints, Oubre Jr. could not help but size himself up while standing beside KAT, who simply smiled, per a post on X by ClutchPoints.. The Knicks appeared to be heading towards a blowout Game 1 victory and were leading 96-65 with more than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

New York have shot extremely efficiently from the field, going 67.9% as a unit compared to the paltry 42% efficiency Philadelphia has managed thus far. The Knicks, of course, entered the series as the firm favorites, with Brunson already having amassed 27 points with plenty left in the third period.

That may as well have to do with the limited rest they got compared to New York after a gruelling seven-game series. The teams were evenly matched in the regular season, splitting the season series 2-2, even though the Knicks had the better regular-season record.

Still, Philadelphia have already proven that they can beat any team at their best, and will hope to see their trio of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe remain fit throughout. After struggling early against Boston, the 76ers looked dominant once Embiid returned.

Embiid averaged 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game with just 2 turnovers in the series, and may need a few similar performances to emerge unscathed from the semis as well.

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