LeBron James helped Sixers improve to 5-1 on Friday night with a home win over the Knicks, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic (free link). Philadelphia led by 11 points at one point in the fourth quarter, but New York came back and had a one-point lead with less than two minutes left Jalen Brunson took a step back three-pointer.
However, James came through in the clutch, immediately responding with a missed jumper And Anunoby. A minute later, the four-time MVP converted with 11.9 seconds left to seal another victory over the defending champions.
Head coach Nick Nurse said it was the 41-year-old’s “best game” in a Sixers uniform, Jones notes. James had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and set an aggressive tone with Jaylen Brown out due to left knee injury.
“He was good, but today I thought it was his best game– said the nurse.I thought he was good all evening. I thought he had some descents. He used his size and tweaked them a bit for a few layoffs. I thought he clearly pushed the ball and organized us. I thought he also made a little quicker decisions to shoot the 3 ball. And then, he obviously made those couple of big plays down the stretch.”
According to ESPN’s Chris Romestar guard Tyrese Maxey called James a “calming presence” during a difficult time. The 41-year-old said he is still getting used to his new team but is delighted with the decision he made in free agency.
“I’m having a great timesaid James.… I’m a big kid to be honest, but these guys are great to be around and I’m more than happy that I decided to come here.”
Here’s more on the 76ers:
- Sophomore guard VJ Edgecombe also played an important role in Friday’s victory as Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer details (subscriber link). In addition to solidly defending Brunson throughout the game, including causing a miss on the Knicks’ ensuing drive after Brunson made the aforementioned 3-pointer, Edgecomb made a three-pointer to put the Sixers up by four points with 33.6 left. “It’s just self-confidence” Edgecombe said after the game.I still have to hit the ball though. I mean, if it’s the right shot, I’m going to make sure I hit the ball. Because after that, if I refuse, there might not be a better shot.”
- James and Maxey watched film together to find ways to complement each other offensively. PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson has history and quotes.
- Philadelphia will be shorthanded Saturday at Charlotte, trans Aaronson. James (low back/sciatica management) and Joel Embiid (treatment of plantar fascia injury in right foot) were ruled out for the second leg as expected. On a brighter note, the nurse gave no indication that Brown will miss any extended time Friday, saying his return will depend on “treatment and pain tolerance” — he’s officially questionable tonight with left patellar tendinopathy. Backup ahead Jabari Walkerwho has missed the last three games with the same injury as Brown, was upgraded to questionable Saturday, Aaronson writes, and it is possible that the two-way center Thank you, autumn (left quadriceps strain) could make his season debut — he’s also listed as questionable.
- As Aaronson points out in another storya little forward Justin Edwards was buried on the depth chart to open his third NBA season. Although Brown was out Friday, Nurse decided to use the rookie guard Labron Filon the younger for six minutes, rather than playing Edwards, who has so far made one brief cameo in less than a minute of game time in the 2026/27 season. The Sixers hold a $2.6 million option on Edwards at 27/28.