LeBron James scored 20 points, including a critical late tip-in, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-93 victory over the New York Knicks on October 30. The win marked the Sixers’ second triumph over the reigning NBA champions in this young season, following their opening night victory at Madison Square Garden when the Knicks raised their championship banner.
This game also served as the beginning of the fourth edition of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament last won by the Knicks before their first championship since 1973. Group-stage games for the NBA Cup will continue throughout November, counting toward the regular-season standings. The quarter-finals are scheduled for early December, with the final set for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tyrese Maxey was the leading scorer for the Sixers with 27 points, helping Philadelphia establish an early lead. The Sixers led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter before a late surge by New York. Jalen Brunson’s step-back three-pointer put the Knicks ahead 90-89 with just over 90 seconds remaining, but James responded swiftly with a go-ahead basket. He then secured the win with a tip-in off a Maxey miss with under 12 seconds left. James, who recorded nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and a key chase-down block, earned praise from Sixers coach Nick Nurse, who described the performance as James’ best since joining the team in the offseason.
Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds. New York dropped to 2-4 with the loss.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks handed the Houston Rockets their first defeat of the season, rallying for a 116-111 victory. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 35 points, supported by 33 points from Cooper Flagg. After trailing by as many as 11 points in the third quarter, the Mavericks took the lead with 7:01 remaining and maintained it despite the Rockets tying the game twice late in the fourth quarter. Irving credited the team’s improved effort in the second half as the key to the comeback.
In Miami, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists to guide the Heat to a 145-125 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Boston Celtics posted a 125-111 win against the Chicago Bulls, fueled by 30 points off the bench from Payton Pritchard and 26 points from Jayson Tatum. Boston at one point led by 32 points, dominating throughout.
The Orlando Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-114, with Desmond Bane scoring 28 points, Franz Wagner 26, and Wendell Carter Jr. adding 20, overcoming a late Toronto challenge.
In Brooklyn, the Detroit Pistons shook off a slow start to hand the Nets their fifth consecutive loss, winning 110-94. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 20 points, while Roland Holland II contributed 18 off the bench.