LeBron James hits the go-ahead shot as the 76ers beat the Knicks 98-93

LeBron James scored 20 points and hit the go-ahead fadeaway with 1:10 left as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 98-93 on Friday night. It was the opening NBA Cup group game for both teams.

Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Anfernee Simons added 21 off 7-of-11 shooting, including five 3-pointers. James finished with nine rebounds and eight assists, a rebound and two assists shy of a triple-double, according to the ESPN box score.

The Knicks had the lead late. Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer for a 90-89 edge with 1:32 left, per the AP. James answered with the fadeaway, VJ Edgecombe buried a 3 to make it a four-point game, and James closed it with a putback.

The 41-year-old James played what the AP called perhaps his best game yet as a Sixer. He backed Mikal Bridges down for a first-half basket and chased down OG Anunoby for a block in the third quarter. He shot 8 of 15.

Brunson scored 24 points but needed 22 shots, and he appeared to roll an ankle late, according to the AP. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 12 rebounds. New York shot 41% and made 13 of 41 from 3.

Joel Embiid struggled on a 3-of-12 night with 10 points, though he had seven assists. Philadelphia shot 49% to New York's 41% and held the Knicks to five fast-break points.

The Sixers did it without Jaylen Brown, who missed his first game of the season with left knee soreness. The team did not say whether he will miss more time. Maxey is the only Sixer who has started every game, and Philadelphia's regular starting five has started together only three times.

Philadelphia is 5-1 and has now beaten the Knicks twice, including James' debut on opening night in New York. The Knicks fell to 2-4.

What's next: The Sixers play at Charlotte on Saturday, the second half of a back-to-back, so watch whether Brown returns and how much James plays. The Knicks host Brooklyn on Monday, and Brunson's ankle is the first thing to check.