In a bold response to Joel Embiid's statement about the Philadelphia 76ers being the superior team, Knicks' versatile wing, Josh Hart, confidently dismissed the claim and emphasized that the Knicks are up 2-0 in the series. Speaking at the Knicks' morning shoot-around at Temple, Hart made it clear that he did not care about the Sixers' opinion, stating, "When the NBA starts basing the series on what we think, then I'll care a little bit more."

Despite a remarkable performance by the hobbled Joel Embiid, who scored 34 points, the Knicks managed to overcome a five-point deficit in the final 27 seconds of Game 2 to steal a victory at Madison Square Garden. The NBA later admitted that both Hart and Jalen Brunson should have been called for fouls on Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, which would have altered the outcome of the game.

Embiid remained determined despite the setback, expressing confidence in his team's ability to turn things around. The reigning league MVP, who has been listed as questionable for Thursday night's game, mentioned that the Sixers should have been leading 2-0. He asserted, "We know what we've got to fix. We did a better job today, so we're going to fix it. But we're the better team and we're gonna keep fighting."

Meanwhile, the Knicks' impressive performance in the first two games was driven by their top player, Jalen Brunson, who has struggled with shooting efficiency, making only 29.1% of his shots (16-for-55). Despite this, his teammates remain confident in his abilities, emphasizing that he is making the right plays, being aggressive, and contributing in other ways apart from scoring.

The presence of three former Villanova players on the Knicks' roster sparked some controversy in Philadelphia. The social-media account of their alma mater, Villanova, posted a congratulatory tweet after the Knicks' victory in Game 2, causing a stir among some Sixers fans. Responding to the uproar, Hart called it "idiotic," while Brunson humorously commented on his suburban alma mater, stating, "In their eyes, we're not a Philly school, but when we win, apparently we are a Philly school."

The Knicks will face the Sixers tonight for Game 3, with the status of Joel Embiid still uncertain. Despite the ongoing disputes and controversies, both teams are determined to prove their superiority on the court. The series is heating up, and basketball fans can expect an intense battle as the Knicks aim to maintain their lead and the Sixers fight to prove that they are indeed the better team.