The defending champion New York Knicks opened Emirates NBA Cup play on October 30, 2026, with a 98-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, mirroring their opening-night defeat and dropping their overall record to 2-4.
The New York Knicks began their NBA title defense with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season, the Knicks made history by capturing both the Emirates NBA Cup trophy and the NBA Finals in the same campaign. Yet Friday night brought a familiar stumble against the same rival that handed them their initial opening-night defeat.
BRUNSON FOR THE LEAD.LEBRON PUTS PHILLY AHEAD.VJ MAKES IT A 4-POINT GAME.The Knicks and Sixers are battling with 32.6 to play in @emirates NBA Cup East Group B action! pic.twitter.com/DMSH60LRsA
Sixers Beat Knicks Behind Maxey and James
Philadelphia secured the 98-93 victory despite the absence of Jaylen Brown due to patellar tendinopathy. Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, while LeBron James tallied 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Off the bench, Anfernee Simons contributed 21 points on 11 shots.
New York mounted a furious double-digit comeback in the final quarter, briefly claiming the lead. The Sixers answered immediately with five unanswered points, punctuated by a 3-pointer from VJ Edgecombe that sealed the outcome.
Allen Iverson & Michael Vick courtside in Philadelphia! pic.twitter.com/Ew7QtoriGO
Early Losses Test Group Play Standings
The defeat leaves New York at 0-1 in East Group B, a competitive pool that also features the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers. Last year, the Knicks recovered from a Cup-opener loss by winning three straight group games before making their championship run, but their current 2-4 overall standing leaves little room for error.
Elsewhere on opening night, rookie AJ Dybantsa made his Washington Wizards home debut in a 95-79 blowout over the Charlotte Hornets. Dybantsa finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Anthony Davis led all scorers with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Trae Young added 21 points and 9 assists for the Wizards, whose defense held Charlotte to 29.7% shooting—marking the franchise’s first time holding an opponent below 80 points since March 9, 2015.
What a sequence by the Sixers capped off by a big-time slam from Tyrese Maxey 💪 https://t.co/O2l31rYYw9 pic.twitter.com/pPreHw1gXA
Very excited, very mature. Fits in with the team. He didn’t try to do too much. He let the game come to him.
John Wall, via Europesays
Michael Grady Reports via Europe
We all need to catch our breaths.
Michael Grady, via Europesays
More on New York Knicks
Brunson and Maxey arrive for tonight's showdown 😤🆚 NYK-PHI • East Group B🏆 @emirates NBA Cup I 7:30pm/et, Prime pic.twitter.com/y35lM7flkM