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Kris Rhim
Multiple Authors
PHILADELPHIA — A step-back 3-pointer from Jalen Brunson erased what had been an 11-point fourth-quarter lead for the 76ers on Friday night, sending the Knicks-heavy crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena into a frenzy.
But the Sixers had an answer: LeBron James.
On the next possession, James backed down Knicks forward OG Anunoby before taking two dribbles to the middle of the floor and fading away for a jumper to help the Sixers reclaim the lead. A minute later, James made a putback layup to put the Sixers up five points with 11.9 seconds remaining, a finishing dagger in what was ultimately a 98-93 NBA Cup win that moved them to 5-1 on the season.
“He’s been good, but that was his best game for sure,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said of James.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey called James a “calming presence” in late-game situations. James’ leadership has been a large reason why all five of their wins have come in clutch time (final five minutes, score within five points), including two over a Knicks team that had won six straight in the series entering the season, including a second-round playoff sweep en route to the NBA title.
“At the end of the day, he’s LeBron James,” Maxey said. “So it’s just like he can do stuff like he did tonight, a couple of big buckets.”
It was the first 20-point game of James’ Sixers career as he finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. He has scored 20 or more points in 68 games since turning 40, more than every other player age 40 or older in NBA history combined (67).
He also tied Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the fifth-oldest player (41 years, 304 days) in NBA history with a 20-point game.
James said that while he doesn’t think about those feats, he is surprised at how long he has been able to play at such a high level.
“I’m definitely not going to lie to you and say that I knew it would be 24 years, that’s for damn sure,” he said.
While Nurse called it James’ best game as a Sixer, his play did fluctuate throughout. With forward Jaylen Brown out with a left patellar injury, James came out aggressive with 12 points on nine shots in the first half. But he disappeared in the third quarter with just one shot attempt and two points, both on free throws.
He shined in the fourth quarter, scoring six points, more than half of which were game-saving.
“I’m having a great time,” James said. “… I’m a big-ass kid, to be completely honest, but these guys are great to be around, and I’m more than happy that I made the decision to come here.”
The Sixers play at the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
