LeBron’s late heroics lift 76ers past champion Knicks 98-93 in NBA Cup opener

LeBron James turned back the clock on Friday night, hitting the go-ahead shot late as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the defending champion New York Knicks 98-93 in their NBA Cup opener in Philadelphia.

Jalen Brunson had put New York ahead 90-89 with a three-pointer with 1 minute 32 seconds left. James answered with a fadeaway with 1:10 remaining, V.J. Edgecombe added an insurance three-pointer, and James sealed the win with a tip-in. James finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists — his best game so far as a 76er. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 27 points, while Anfernee Simons scored 21 off the bench.

Brunson scored 24 points for the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22. The win moved Philadelphia to 5-1 for the season and 2-0 against New York, after the 76ers also beat the Knicks in New York on opening night in James’s debut. Philadelphia played without Jaylen Brown, who missed a game for the first time this season with a sore left knee.

Why it matters

At 41, James is in his first season with Philadelphia, and this was his strongest performance yet in a 76ers shirt — including a chase-down block on OG Anunoby in the third quarter. Beating the champions twice already, in their first two meetings of the season, is an early statement that the 76ers mean business.

It is all the more striking because Philadelphia’s regular starting five has only started together three times this season. The depth shown here, with Simons scoring 21 off the bench, suggests the 76ers can win even when they are short-handed.

What happens next

The Knicks host Brooklyn on Monday as they look to bounce back, while the 76ers continue their NBA Cup group games in November. Both teams will meet again later in the season, and New York will be keen to end this early run of defeats against their rivals.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3639956/le-bron-maxey-combine-to-help-76-ers-top-knicks-for-2-nd-time-this-season (Associated Press via theScore, 31 October 2026)
• https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527502-lebron-has-best-game-76ers-vs-knicks-box-score-stats-highlights-brunson-top-players (Bleacher Report, 31 October 2026)
• https://www.talkbasket.net/225843-lebron-sinks-clutch-to-help-76ers-stun-champion-knicks-98-93 (TalkBasket, 31 October 2026)