76ers beat reigning champion Knicks 98-93 as LeBron James hits go-ahead basket and Tyrese Maxey scores 27

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks 98-93 in an NBA Cup group game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night (US time; tip-off 11:30pm GMT Friday 30 October), according to AP. LeBron James scored 20 points and made the go-ahead basket with 1:10 left, and Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 27 points.

The win was the 76ers’ second over New York this season, after they won at Madison Square Garden on opening night, AP said. Philadelphia moved to 5-1 and the Knicks fell to 2-4.

James, 41, made 8 of 15 shots and had nine rebounds and eight assists, according to the ESPN box score. Maxey made 10 of 19 shots, Anfernee Simons scored 21 off the bench on 5-of-8 three-point shooting, and VJ Edgecombe had 13 points and eight rebounds. Joel Embiid had 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 3-of-12 shooting.

Jalen Brunson scored 24 points for New York on 8-of-22 shooting, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 12 rebounds, according to the box score. Mikal Bridges added 12 and Miles McBride 10.

Score by quarter (ESPN): 76ers 29-24-24-21, Knicks 21-23-24-25.

The finish

Brunson’s three-pointer gave New York a 90-89 lead with 1:32 remaining, AP said. James answered with a fadeaway to put Philadelphia back in front with 1:10 left, Edgecombe followed with a three-pointer for a four-point lead, and James later added a tip-in. AP said Brunson appeared to roll an ankle late in the game.

The 76ers led for 97% of the game and by as many as 14 points, while the Knicks’ largest lead was one point, according to ESPN’s game statistics. Philadelphia shot 49% from the field (37 of 75) to New York’s 41% (35 of 86); the Knicks made 13 of 41 three-pointers and had 14 offensive rebounds to Philadelphia’s five.

Team news

Jaylen Brown missed a game for the first time this season with left knee soreness, and the 76ers did not say whether he would miss more games, AP reported. AP said Philadelphia’s regular starting five had started together only three times this season, with Maxey the only player to start every game.

The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Cup final and in the NBA Finals, AP noted.

The 76ers play at the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, and the Knicks host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, according to AP.

See also: Knicks beat Bulls 133-127 for second straight win and our opening-night report, including the 76ers’ 106-100 win over the Knicks.