New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Live NBA Preseason Updates, Scores and Highlights

Do we think they're talking about defensive matchups, Tyler Nickel's green light or how Mike Brown thinks "Dimes" would be a cooler last name?

Folks, the benches have been emptied.

Well, not literally. Other players are still sitting on them. But the fourth-quarter is being devoted largely to those on the outskirts of the rotation or fighting for a roster spot.

The stakes are high. The quality of basketball? Er, um, we plead the fifth.

Yes, you reading that correctly. It's Jameer Nelson Jr. You're free to feel old.

With both teams emptying their benches, the Sixers remain in control of this one.

Score: Sixers 93, Knicks 79 (end of third quarter)

Everyone assumes the Knicks will use their 14th roster spot on either James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks or Tony Bradley. That makes sense, since Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond are the only bigs under guaranteed contract.

At the same time, the Knicks don't have a ton of playable guys off the bench who can guard up. There's Mohamed Diawara, and that's basically it. Bruce Brown would expand that player pool, even if only as a break-in-case-of-emergency option.

Of course, signing him would mean the Knicks must stick with only two bigs for the time being. Or it would mean trading Pacome Dadiet and/or Miles McBride to make room for another another one.

Here's that Labaron Philon Jr. masterpiece we referenced. His handle appears ready for primetime.

Quick aside: Are we calling him "LPJ" yet? If only just so people eventually think we're talking about / included a typo in "LBJ?"

But we still have Mohamed Diawara highlights to get us by.

Was he just put in the dribble cycle by Labaron Philon Jr. as this was written? Who's to say, really? (Yes. Yes, he was.)

Score: Sixers 80, Knicks 73 (5:49 remaining in the third quarter)

Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe and the rest of the Sixers' starters began the second half on the bench. Suffice it to say, they're done for the night.

On the bright side, Labaron Philon Jr. now has the keys to the offense. Everybody grab their favorite nighttime snack and take it in.

Jaylen Brown's 22 points in 15 minutes look great on paper. They look even cooler on tape.

Talk about making a fantastic first impression.

...Jaylen Brown is pretty good. VJ Edgecombe, too.

Both of Philly's stars are dominating. Brown is having zero problems getting to his spots, no matter who's guarding him. Edgecombe is visibly stronger and more comfortable on the ball.

The Knicks aren't nearly as comfortable as the Sixers. They seem taken aback by Philly's commitment to ball pressure, aggression in passing lanes and dedication to getting out in transition.

Beyond the core players for either side, Labaron Philon Jr. is right at home in his bench role. And Jabari Walker will force his way into the rotation if he keeps shooting (12 points), rebounding (eight boards) and defending (two stocks) like this.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown has spread the minutes in bits among his reserves. No one has really popped, though. Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet remain unafraid to fire away from deep. James Wiseman made his first two shots. Pacome Dadiet...still doesn't look like an NBA player.

Halftime Score: Sixers 72, Knicks 58

Mohamed Diawara threw a bad pass to Jalen Brunson, but he made up for it.

There's a reason Knicks fans call him OG Anunoby 2.0.

Dropping 22 points in 15 minutes is impressive. It is even more impressive when OG Anunoby has been guarding you for much of that time.

On a related note: Somebody might want to go check and see how the Celtics' Subreddit is doing.

This is Jaylen Brown's first transition slam with the Sixers. There will be many, many more to come.

Score: Sixers 50, Knicks 46 (6:39 remaining in the second quarter)

"It was never a phase."

Both Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe are off to strong preseason starts as they carry the offense without other marquee names.

Though the game is close, this qualifies as a terrific sign for the Sixers. They have the top-end firepower to navigate just about anyone's absence.

Score: Sixers 33, Knicks 32 (end of first quarter)

The Sixers rookie is on the board!

This is vintage Jaylen Brown. But he has also busted out some nice on-ball footwork and passing to begin the preseason.

Hashtag, motivation. Or something.

VJ Edgecombe looks stronger and smoother to start the year. That's terrifying...for 29 other teams.

Score: Sixers 22; Knicks 19 (3:52 remaining in the first quarter)

Jalen Brunson has made two of his first three shot attempts and doesn't look limited whatsoever by his surgically repaired left wrist. That sound you hear is the collective sigh of Knicks fans everywhere.

Ariel Hukporti, who played for the Knicks last season and signed with the Sixers over the summer, suffered a non-contact right ankle injury midway through the first quarter. Players from both teams went to check on him once he fell to the ground.

Philadelphia brought Hukporti back to the locker room. Fingers crossed he's OK. Injuries remain a bummer.

The Jaylen Brown Era in Philadelphia is officially underway. Friendly-bounce style.

BREAKING: The reigning Finals MVP is still crafty from the mid-range.

Jaylen Brown received quite the reception from Philly fans during his first player intro as a member of the Sixers. I'd say it was no worse than the seventh-best round of applause of the evening so far.

LeBron may not be suiting up against the Knicks, but for anyone who might've forgotten or is tired of pinching themselves to see whether they're dreaming, this serves as a good reminder that James really, actually signed with the Sixers.

Who needs a championship ring when you've already got a championship TSA-approved personal hygiene and grooming organizer, amirite?

Karl-Anthony Towns' future will cast a cloud over the team if, as the big man currently expects, he doesn't reach an extension with the Knicks. There will be no avoiding the questions and speculation should he play out the season in advance of a 2027-28 player option.

Still, in the face of could-be contentious negotiations, Towns doesn't appear to be carrying himself like someone plotting to leave. That's good news for the Knicks and their fans, and a reminder that spreadsheet calculations don't always impact how players comport themselves around their teammates.

With Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James and Anfernee Simons all sitting out Monday night, the Sixers are tapping VJ Edgecombe run the offense.

Jaylen Brown will take on a large share of creation responsibilities as well, but this is valuable data collection for both Philly and its sophomore. Though beginning games at the 1 won't become Edgecombe's routine, successful performances under circumstances like this could reshape how head coach Nick Nurse builds his secondary units.

It sounds like we're going to get a nearly full look at the Knicks' rotation to open the preseason.

Jose Alvarado's absence is a bummer for anyone who was hoping to see some inbounds trickery. But it should open the door for Tyler Kolek to get serious run once head coach Mike Brown pulls the top of the rotation.