The last time the New York Knicks played in Philadelphia, they eliminated Joel Embiid and the Sixers in a six-game conquest of their thrilling East opening round battle.
This time, the Knicks gave Embiid a rude welcome in his long-awaited season debut.
OG Anunoby dunked his way to a 24-point night, taking charge of a 111-99 New York victory over the Sixers for a winning start in East Group A play of Emirates NBA Cup.
The Knicks spoil Joel Embiid’s debut and take down the Sixers in the first game of Group Play of the NBA Cup 🍿
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 13, 2024
OG Anunoby:
24 points
6 rebounds
11-of-16 FG
Karl-Anthony Towns:
21 points
13 rebounds
6 assists
The Knicks opened the final frame on a critical 9-0 run capped off by an Anunoby slam—his sixth and final dunk of the game—to build a 87-75 lead with 8:41 seconds left to play.
OG Anunoby driving slam pic.twitter.com/tbwQpKjBHP
— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) November 13, 2024
From that point, New York led by as much as 15 points en route to its first win of the in-season tournament.
Karl-Anthony Towns dropped 21 markers and 13 rebounds, his eight double-double of the season, on top of six assists. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges combined for 32 markers.
showing off that vision 👀@karltowns ?? @mikal_bridges
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 13, 2024
Josh Hart registered his first triple-double of the season after finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists while Miles McBride added 15 off the bench.
🗣? HART OF THE CITY@joshhart
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 13, 2024
Meanwhile, Paul George tallied his highest scoring output as Sixer with 23 but scored just three points in the fourth where the Knicks pulled away.
That's SMOOTH, PG.
— NBA (@NBA) November 13, 2024
He's up to 23... close one in the 3Q on TNT.
🏆 NYK-PHI | East Group A action
Jared McCain continued his fine play with 20 markers off the bench while Embiid tallied 13 points but shot just 2-of-11 from the field in 27 minutes.
The 2023 MVP made his season debut after missing the first nine games to start the season, first while managing left knee soreness while also serving a three-game suspension following an altercation with a writer.
Embiid made his first field goal off a three pointer from the top of the arc early in the second frame.
3MBIID.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 13, 2024
The game marked the first time the Knicks and Sixers faced off since their feisty six-game East opening round clash in the last playoffs where New York emerged on top.
Since then, both teams added new pieces heading to the season in hopes of contending for the title, with the Knicks trading for Towns and the Sixers going all-in to land George.
It was a tight battle in the first half for both teams with New York taking a slim 54-50 halftime lead.
Josh Hart caps off the 1st half at the buzzer 🚨
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 13, 2024
Towns and Anunoby combined for 23 points but George’s 17 kept the Sixers afloat despite Embiid’s slow start as he missed his first three shots but hit all of his eight free throws on top of four assists and a couple of rebounds.
