LeBron James reiterated he made the right decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers after starring during their win over the New York Knicks. 

James scored 20 points along with nine rebounds and eight assists as the Sixers defeated New York for the second time this season with a 98-93 triumph in an NBA Cup game. 

Tyrese Maxey also played his part in Philadelphia's win with 27 points of his own, while Anfernee Simons took his opportunity in the absence of the injured Jaylen Brown. 

Simons scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting while VJ Edgecombe finished with 13 points, with the Sixers winning five of their first six matches of the season.

But the day belonged to James, who has now 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).

James 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,

But the 22-time NBA All-Star said he was not thinking about those achievements, adding he continues to surprise himself at how long he has been able to play at the top 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," James said. 

"I'm having a great time. I'm a big-*** 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."

a LeBron James masterclass in South Philly. 20 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST @PALottery https://t.co/Zbht6gCTiu

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 31, 2026

James scored 12 of his points haul in the first half, but only managed just one shot attempt and two points in the third quarter, both of which were with free throws. 

That being said, Sixers coach Nick Nurse lauded James, saying: "He's been good, but that was his best game for sure."

Jalen Brunson scored 24 points on 8-of-22 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who have endured a difficult start thus far. 

The Knicks committed only 14 turnovers but shot just 40.7% overall and 31.7% from 3-point range, as they slipped to 2-4 for the season. 

"It's the next opponent and that's the most important game. I don't care if it's Philly or Boston or Charlotte, let's play the right way," Brown said of New York's run of form. 

"Sometimes it can be us being hesitant as well, wanting to make the right play. We understand what we have to do, it's just starting the game that way.

"That has to be our biggest point of emphasis going forward."