By Daniel Feurestein | Philadelphia, PA | October 30th, 2026
The New York Knicks, who won their Double Championship season last year, began their Emirates NBA Cup title defense by going down I-95 to face LeBron James and the revamped Philadelphia 76ers. From the start of the game, the Knicks were met with a Sixers side that was determined to outhustle and outwork the Knicks to every basket. While it got close toward the fourth quarter, the Sixers once again found a way to keep the lead and win, defeating the Knicks 98-93.
The Sixers were off to a strong start in the first quarter. They led for the majority of the game until the Knicks caught them and took a one-point lead, but the Sixers retook the lead with a big shot and a three-pointer to extend that lead. The Knicks tried to make another quick comeback, but they couldn’t connect, and they lost their first NBA Cup game on the road. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 27 points, while Anfernee Simons, who came off the bench, was second on the Sixers’ scoring with 21 points. Jalen Brunson led all Knicks scorers with 22 points, and Karl Anthony Towns was second on the Knicks with a double-double, scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds.
First Half: The Sixers started to separate themselves early
The Sixers were playing hard and draining buckets from the paint. They continued their form since the season opener at Madison Square Garden. Joel Embiid played a strong first half, draining shots from distance and got lucky when he shoved down a Knicks player but wasn’t called for the foul. Tyrese Maxey was active and hitting multiple buckets, including a bunch of three-pointers to give his side the lead. While the Knicks were doing their best to stay in the game and avoid being blown out early, they were hanging on and keeping it close till the halftime buzzer sounded.
Second Half: The Sixers kept the lead till the Knicks came back, but lost it late
The Sixers continued their dominating play, as they came into the third quarter with a chip on their shoulder. Anfernee Simons came into the game as a substitute and made an immediate impact by draining five for eight from behind the three-point line. But as the game was winding down, the Knicks started to chip away at their deficit and found themselves at a big moment when Jalen Brunson drained a three-pointer to take a one-point lead at 90-89. But LeBron James was able to get the lead back, and a V.J. Edgecomb three-pointer sealed the victory with 32.1 left in the fourth quarter. Brunson hits 1 of 2 free throws, James gets a rebound layup, and the game was over as the Knicks lose their first of four NBA Cup games.
KEY STATS:
NEW YORK: 35 for 86 FG’s, 13 FOR 41 3 PTS, 10-14 FT’s
PHILADELPHIA: 37 FOR 75 FG’s, 12 FOR 34 3 PTS, 12 FOR 16 FT’s
LARGEST LEAD: 14 PTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER BY PHILADELPHIA
MOST POINTS: 29 PTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER BY PHILADELPHIA
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