LeBron James delivered when the Philadelphia 76ers needed him most. The 41-year-old scored 20 points and hit a go-ahead fadeaway with 1:10 left as the Sixers beat the champion New York Knicks 98-93 in an NBA Cup group game Friday night in Philadelphia.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 27 points. James nearly had a triple-double with nine rebounds and eight assists.

It was tight late. Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer that gave New York a 90-89 lead with 1:32 to play, which finally woke up the Knicks fans who made the trip.

The finish

James answered right away with the go-ahead bucket. VJ Edgecombe then buried an insurance 3-pointer to push the lead to four. James sealed it with a tip-in.

It was probably James' best game yet in a Sixers uniform. He bullied his way past Mikal Bridges in the post for a basket in the first half. In the third quarter he chased down OG Anunoby from behind for a block.

Brunson scored 24 points and appeared to roll an ankle late. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 for New York.

2-0 against the champs

Philadelphia is already 2-0 against the Knicks this season. The Sixers also won in New York on opening night in James' debut with the team.

The Sixers are off to a 5-1 start even though their regular starting five has started together only three times. Jaylen Brown sat out his first game of the season with left knee soreness, leaving Maxey as the only player to start every game. The team did not say whether Brown will miss more time.

The building had a playoff feel again. Scattered "MVP!" chants for Brunson at the free-throw line were quickly drowned out by boos from the home crowd.

The Sixers play Saturday at Charlotte. The Knicks host Brooklyn on Monday.