LeBron Has Best Game with 76ers vs. Knicks, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Brunson, Top Players

Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James lifted the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-93 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night, combining for 57 points to lead Philadelphia to a victory in its first NBA Cup game of the season.

The Knicks, who are the defending NBA and NBA Cup champions, entered Friday's game as 3.5-point underdogs against the 76ers, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, after opening the season with three consecutive losses and a 2-3 record.

The 76ers were without starting guard Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined with left patellar tendinopathy. Brown reported left knee soreness following Wednesday's 114-109 win over the Indiana Pacers, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.

Despite being without Brown, who is averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, the 76ers pulled off the win to improve to 5-1 and maintain their near-perfect start to the season.

The Knicks have fallen to 2-4 in a shocking turnaround from just four months ago, when they were hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning the NBA Finals.

76ers	MIN	PTS	FG	REB	AST	TO	STL	BLK
LeBron James	34	20	8-15	9	8	2	1	1
Joel Embiid	33	10	3-12	7	7	4	1	1
Tyrese Maxey	38	27	10-19	4	4	2	1	1
VJ Edgecombe	36	13	6-10	8	2	2	0	0
Anfernee Simons	31	21	7-11	2	1	1	0	0
Knicks
Jalen Brunson	35	24	8-22	5	6	2	2	0
Karl-Anthony Towns	35	22	8-15	12	3	2	0	1
OG Anunoby	34	9	4-10	4	3	2	1	0
Mikal Bridges	30	12	5-8	5	2	1	3	0
Miles McBride	24	10	4-8	3	1	0	0	0

NBA Cup - Group Play

East Group B

Philadelphia 76ers: 1-0 (CUP), 5-1 (OVR)

New York Knicks: 0-1 (CUP), 2-4 (OVR)

Cleveland Cavaliers: First game Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Miami Heat: First game Oct. 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Indiana Pacers: First game Oct. 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Schedule

Group Play: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 24, 25 and 27

Quarterfinals: Dec. 4-5

Semifinals: Dec. 8 and/or 9

Championship: Dec. 11

James finished with 20 points — his best performance in a 76ers jersey — nine rebounds and eight assists to help lead Philadelphia to an impressive win.

Maxey added 27 points, four rebounds and four assists after leading the team at halftime with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field.

Maxey has gotten off to a hot start this season, with his lowest-scoring game coming against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he finished with 26 points. He is averaging 28.4 points per game, which ranks fourth in the league.

Joel Embiid finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while VJ Edgecombe added 13 points. Anfernee Simons exploded off the bench for 21 points.

For the Knicks, Brunson led the way with 24 points, five rebounds and six assists, continuing his strong play after his 38-point performance on Wednesday.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 12 rebounds to record a double-double, finishing strong with a fourth-quarter surge.

The Knicks had a balanced scoring effort in the first half, with four starters recording seven points, while Towns led the way with nine.

OG Anunoby finished with nine points, while Mikal Bridges added 12 points. Miles McBride contributed 10 points off the bench.

Philadelphia opened the game with a 29-21 lead after the first quarter before extending its advantage to 14 points. The Knicks then went on a run to cut the deficit to nine heading into halftime, with the 76ers leading 53-44.

Brunson exploded for 13 points in the third quarter to help the Knicks stay within reach, as both teams scored 24 points in the period. Simons stepped up for the 76ers in the third, helping Philadelphia maintain its lead at 77-68 headed into the final quarter.

Both teams put on a show down the stretch. The Knicks took the lead by one with 1:32 remaining, the 76ers closed out the home win with a 9-3 run, including a 5-0 spurt to seal the victory.

New York will host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, while the 76ers will hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.