Philadelphia 76ers 99-112 New York Knicks: 5 talking points as Kemba Walker’s best game of the season leads the Knicks to victory | 2021-22 NBA season

The New York Knicks welcomed the Kemba Walker they have all been waiting for as the Bronx-native led the team to a 112-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

After a couple of years of futility against the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks finally won one in a big way on Tuesday. The bench explosion played a huge part in turning a close game into a rout.

Doc Rivers' team tried to pull the rug under the New York Knicks' feet, but they simply did not have the stamina and firepower to succeed. A visibly fatigued Joel Embiid may have to take time off. The Philadelphia 76ers will need every help they can get from the roster to survive the loaded Eastern Conference.

Here are five talking points after the New York Knicks' breakthrough win against the Philadelphia 76ers:

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#5 The New York Knicks bench mob

The New York Knicks' bench made a huge difference in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers [Photo: Daily Knicks]

The New York Knicks’ bench made the biggest difference in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

New York entered the second quarter trailing by three points. After their bench mob did the damage, the quarter ended with the Knicks up by 20. The 39-16 second quarter throttling paved the way for the team to finally get one over the 76ers after the last 15 tries.

With neither team having a starter on the floor, the New York Knicks’ bench simply had their way over their Philadelphia 76ers counterparts. At one point, the Knicks’ second unit outscored the second stringers of the 76ers 32-10.

The 82-game schedule is brutal. Teams with thin benches will likely have a hard time getting into the playoffs. The exacting grind of the regular season could also take its toll on star players entering the postseason.

If the New York Knicks replicate their playoff performance last season and advance past the first round, the bench will have to do its lifting.

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#4 The Philadelphia 76ers’ lack of bench production

The Philadelphia 76ers' lack of bench production could cost them this season

How the New York Knicks’ bench ran amok in this game only highlighted the Philadelphia 76ers' lack of bench production. Doc Rivers had no choice in the second quarter but to give his starters a breather.

When the Philadelphia 76ers tried to crawl their way back in the game, it was very evident that the starters were running on fumes. The 76ers rely so much on Furkan Korkmaz’s shooting for production. However, when he misfires as he did in this game, the team is overly reliant on Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris to keep them afloat.

There were instances in the game where Embiid struggled to run up and down the floor. He has had knee soreness in the last couple of games and has been listed as questionable. The All-Star center just looked fatigued in this game.

If the Philadelphia 76ers’ bench fails to do their end of the deal, the team could be in for a long season.

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#3 Tobias Harris as an All-Star

Tobias Harris has been phenomenal for the Philadelphia 76ers this season

Tobias Harris has been a pillar for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. In a game where Joel Embiid was clearly nursing an injury or just plain worn out, Harris took the cudgels yet again for the team. He finished with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. More than the numbers, he did his part in helping hold Julius Randle to 16 points.

The Philadelphia 76ers' season has been uneven. Seth Curry, who exploded in their last game with 23 points in a quarter, was 0-4 from deep and finished with a horrific 4 points in 30 minutes of action. Tyrese Maxey, who had been solid, if not spectacular, came back to earth with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

Since the Philadelphia 76ers’ start of the season, the only constant in production and leadership has been Tobias Harris. If Embiid is sidelined with an injury or minutes management, Harris would have an even bigger load to shoulder. He might just make the All-Star team if he continues with this kind of performance.

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#2 All-star Kemba Walker shows up at the Garden for the New York Knicks

There was a lot of hoopla when the New York Knicks acquired Kemba Walker in the offseason. Besides being a Bronx native, the acquisition of Walker was deemed a big step in addressing the Knicks’ lack of scoring. In this game, at least, the fans were able to see what the former All-Star could do.

Kemba Walker was instrumental in giving the New York Knicks a lead that they never relinquished. He orchestrated the plays with aplomb and punished the Philadelphia 76ers’ defense when they collapsed the paint against Julius Randle.

More importantly for the New York Knicks, he led the team when Julius Randle was not his usual efficient self. Last year, when Randle struggled, there was hardly anyone who could pick up the slack. This year could change with Kemba Walker running the plays for the team.

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#1 Joel Embiid looks gassed

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is starting to feel the toll of the season with the increased burden

Even with Ben Simmons around, the fate of the Philadelphia 76ers rests on Joel Embiid’s shoulders. And while Simmons has gotten his fair dose of ridicule, he would have been of great help to the team. There’s a reason why the Embiid-Simmons duo had the best win-loss total among All-Star duos last season.

In Ben Simmons’ absence, Joel Embiid is taking on more workload on both ends of the floor. It’s on the defensive end that Simmons’ absence is really felt. Without Simmons, Embiid does not have the luxury of having someone act as a safety on the perimeter. Embiid has to contest more drives and be better at communicating with the defense for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The work has already taken its toll on Joel Embiid. It’s just a few games into the season, and Embiid looks gassed. The Philadelphia 76ers will need more from the roster to help their starting center carry the team to the playoffs.