LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey lead 76ers past Knicks 98-93

LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey steered the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98‑93 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, sealing the victory with a late tip‑in that pushed the lead to five points with just 11.9 seconds left. James finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Maxey led all scorers with 27, helping Philadelphia claim its second early‑season triumph over the Knicks.

The game opened the fourth edition of the NBA Cup, the league’s new in‑season tournament that runs alongside the regular schedule. The Knicks entered as the defending Cup champions, having lifted the trophy after beating the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 finals. Philadelphia had already spoiled New York’s banner‑raising ceremony on opening night, and the two teams met again in this group‑stage matchup, which also counts toward each franchise’s regular‑season record.

Both sides traded blows early, but the Sixers built a 14‑point cushion in the third quarter and weathered a late Knicks surge. Jalen Brunson’s step‑back three put New York ahead 90‑89 with 1:32 remaining, only for James to answer with the decisive basket. Knicks star Karl‑Anthony Towns added 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the loss dropped the club to 2‑4. 76ers coach Nick Nurse praised James, calling it “the best game since I joined in July,” and highlighted the veteran’s clutch play and a chase‑down block that capped the win.

The NBA Cup will continue through November with more group games, before moving to a knockout format in early December. Quarterfinals are slated for Dec 4‑5, semifinals Dec 8‑9, and the final on Dec 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Philadelphia’s victory not only improves its early‑season standing but also signals that the league’s oldest scorer can still decide games in high‑pressure moments, while the Knicks must regroup quickly to stay afloat in both the Cup and the regular season.