LeBron James converted a key putback and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Philadelphia 76ers edged the visiting New York Knicks 98-93 on Friday in NBA Cup action.
Philadelphia played without Jaylen Brown (knee), giving Anfernee Simons an opportunity to shine in an expanded role. Simons scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 27 points, while VJ Edgecombe hit a clutch 3-pointer and finished with 13 points.
The Sixers have won five of their first six games.
New York, meanwhile, has lost four of its first six, including two defeats against Philadelphia. Jalen Brunson scored 24 points on 8-of-22 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks.
The Sixers led by as many as 11 points early in the fourth quarter before Towns scored on a three-point play, a 3-pointer and a driving layup in a two-minute span to bring the visitors within 83-76.
Towns’ 3-pointer with 4:46 remaining brought the Knicks within 87-85, and Brunson’s 3-pointer with 1:32 left gave New York a one-point lead.
James answered with a tough fadeaway on the other end to put the Sixers back in front. Following a Brunson miss, Edgecombe beat the shot-clock buzzer with a 3-pointer to make it 94-90.
Brunson split two free throws to make it a one-possession game before James put back Maxey’s airball with 11.9 seconds remaining.
Philadelphia shot 55% from the field in each of the first two quarters en route to a 53-44 halftime lead.
Maxey scored five quick points to open the third quarter, helping the Sixers build a 14-point cushion. However, Brunson scored seven points in a 43-second span during a 10-1 run as New York pulled within 59-54.
In the final 5 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, Simons knocked down three 3-pointers, made two free throws and added a tough fadeaway to help the Sixers carry a 77-68 lead into the fourth.
–Field Level Media
