PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — LeBron James took over the last two minutes Friday night, and the Philadelphia 76ers held off the defending champion New York Knicks 98-93 to start Emirates NBA Cup group play at 1-0.
Philadelphia had built a double-digit cushion in the fourth quarter before New York clawed back. Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer with 1:32 left that put the Knicks in front 90-89. James answered on the next trip, backing down his defender and spinning into a fadeaway jumper to put the Sixers back ahead.
Rookie-year guard VJ Edgecombe followed with a 3-pointer for a four-point edge, and James sealed it by tipping in a miss with 11.9 seconds to play.
James, who turns 42 at the end of December and is in his record 24th season, finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. It was his first 20-point night since joining Philadelphia, and it put him level with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for fifth on the list of oldest players with a 20-point game. Coach Nick Nurse called it the best game James has played for the team.
Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 27 points. Anfernee Simons came off the bench for 21, including a burst of 13 points in a little over five minutes during the third quarter, and went 5 of 8 from long range. Joel Embiid scored 10 on 3-of-12 shooting but handed out seven assists.
Philadelphia played without Jaylen Brown, who sat with left knee tendinopathy, so Dean Wade started in his place.
Brunson scored 24 for New York and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 12 rebounds. The 76ers improved to 5-1 overall and are 2-0 against the Knicks this season.
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