PHILADELPHIA — In a hard-fought matchup, OG Anunoby led the New York Knicks to a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, effectively putting a damper on star player Joel Embiid’s season debut. The game marked the beginning of NBA Cup group play for both teams, taking place on Tuesday night.

Embiid managed to score 13 points in 26 minutes of play but struggled overall, hitting just 2 of 11 attempts and grabbing only three rebounds. Despite his efforts, the 76ers suffered their eighth loss of the season, pushing their record to 2-8. Paul George was the standout for Philadelphia, contributing significantly with 29 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Knicks, contributions came from various players, with Josh Hart notching a triple-double, scoring 14 points while also collecting 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson chipped in with 18 points, showcasing a well-rounded team effort.

One takeaway from the game was New York’s strong rebounding and effective ball movement, which were key factors in their success during last year’s playoff series against the 76ers. In this game, however, it was the balanced scoring from the Knicks that proved decisive, as they had six players finish in double figures.

Embarrassingly, Embiid seemed a bit off during his return, displaying signs of rust after not playing since the gold medal game at the Paris Olympics on August 10. He appeared winded at times, particularly on defense, which contributed to the 76ers’ struggle to keep pace with the Knicks.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when New York opened the fourth quarter with a commanding 13-2 run, extending their lead in what had been a close matchup. Anunoby was particularly impactful during this stretch, racking up three dunks while exploiting space left by a lagging Embiid on defense.

Notably, the Knicks showcased their offensive strengths, recording 31 assists on 44 field goal attempts while shooting 49% from the field—statistics that underscore their offensive efficiency throughout the match.

Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, while the 76ers will face the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers in their next game on the same day.