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76ers Beat Knicks 98-93 in NBA Cup Opener

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 98-93 in the NBA Cup opener.
LeBron James posted 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the fifth-oldest 20-point scorer.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
The victory moved Philadelphia to a 5-1 record, second in the Eastern Conference.

Summary

Coach Mike Brown warned the Knicks must overcome fatigue after a short, celebratory summer.
Guard Josh Hart said the team feels physically tired and needs daily conditioning improvement.
The NBA Cup group-stage games count toward regular-season standings and run through November.
New York, now 2-4, must win its remaining three group games to stay alive in the tournament.

History

The NBA’s 1998-99 lockout, a 204-day work stoppage that cut the season to 50 games beginning Feb 5 1999, forced teams into a compressed schedule and sparked fan cynicism. That precedent of condensed play resurfaces in 2024 as the NBA Cup’s group-stage counts toward regular-season standings, prompting Knicks coach Mike Brown and guard Josh Hart to warn of fatigue.

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The NBA’s 1998-99 lockout, a 204-day work stoppage that cut the season to 50 games beginning Feb 5 1999, forced teams into a compressed schedule and sparked fan cynicism. That precedent of condensed play resurfaces in 2024 as the NBA Cup’s group-stage counts toward regular-season standings, prompting Knicks coach Mike Brown and guard Josh Hart to warn of fatigue.

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