There’s a reason “Let’s Go Knicks” chants echoed through Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night. The arena, just 25 miles from Villanova University, felt like a home game for New York, fueled by fans embracing the local legends who once dominated the college scene. There’s also a reason MVP chants followed Jalen Brunson to the foul line late in overtime. He earned them. Brunson delivered in the clutch, making one decisive play after another to prevent what could have been the Knicks’ sixth loss in their last eight games. Instead, the All-Star captain powered his team to a gritty 125-119 overtime victory over the 76ers. Crisis averted. Brunson led the charge with a game-high 38 points on an ultra-efficient 14-of-22 shooting from the field. Eight of those points came in overtime, where he cemented victory No. 27 for New York this season. And just like in his Villanova days, Brunson wasn’t alone. Mikal Bridges, another Wildcats alum, drained five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Meanwhile, Josh Hart notched his fifth triple-double of the season, tallying 10 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals. Hart is now just three triple-doubles shy of Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s single-season franchise record of eight. The Villanova trio sealed the deal in the extra period. With 1:02 remaining, Hart stripped Tyrese Maxey, pushed the ball in transition, and lobbed a perfect alley-oop to Bridges, extending the Knicks’ lead to 11. That cushion didn’t last long — it never did in this tightly contested matchup. The Knicks opened the game with a 14-5 run and built a 16-point lead in the second quarter, fueled by Bridges’ four first-quarter 3-pointers. But the Sixers roared back with a massive third quarter, outscoring New York 38-25 to set up a dramatic fourth. New York held a four-point lead with just 18 seconds left in regulation, but Maxey had other plans. After sinking two free throws, he raced down the court for a game-tying layup with three seconds on the clock. An OG Anunoby heave at the buzzer missed its mark, sending the game into overtime. “It took a little bit of everything,” Hart said. “We’ve been trying to find it these last couple games. We’ve just gotta go out there and compete. I feel like we did that. “Go win the game. That’s the biggest thing. We can’t change anything that happened in the past. We’ve got five minutes to go win this thing.” And win it they did. The Knicks never trailed, going a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line in overtime, displaying the poise and precision of a team determined to right the ship. They needed it, especially without Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed the game with a sprained right thumb sustained in Monday’s loss to Detroit. The Sixers, too, were shorthanded, playing without MVP center Joel Embiid due to a foot injury. Maxey carried Philadelphia with 33 points on 13-of-32 shooting, while Paul George added 26 points on 9-of-20 from the field. The Knicks found unexpected contributions from their bench, which outscored the Sixers’ reserves for just the fourth time this season. Miles McBride chipped in 13 points, and Precious Achiuwa added 10, providing the depth New York has desperately needed. Now the Knicks turn their attention to Friday, when former teammates Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo return to Madison Square Garden as members of the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s another test for a team fighting to stay on course in a crowded playoff race. For now, though, the Knicks can savor a hard-fought win — one that started with Villanova pride and ended with Brunson’s brilliance. They’ll need more of both to continue righting the recent wrongs they’ve suffered in games against the NBA’s upper-echelon teams.