LeBron James turned back the clock in Philadelphia on Friday night. The NBA's all-time leading scorer, now in his 24th season, finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the 76ers beat the reigning champion New York Knicks 98-93 in their NBA Cup group opener.

James delivered the decisive plays down the stretch — hitting a go-ahead fadeaway late, per the Associated Press, and helping seal the result with a tip-in in the closing moments. It was, by multiple accounts, his best game yet in a Sixers uniform.

Tyrese Maxey carried the scoring load with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, while Anfernee Simons chipped in 21 off the bench to round out Philadelphia's balanced attack.

Beating the defending champions in a tournament setting gives the Sixers an early statement win in Cup group play — and gives the league another reminder that James, deep into his third decade as a pro, can still close a tight game against elite competition.