October 31, 2026 at 4:56 AM UTC

Postgame Report

76ers hold off Knicks 98-93 as New York's slow start lingers

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Philadelphia beat the defending champions for the second time in two weeks, and New York played again without Jose Alvarado.

The Knicks went another night without Jose Alvarado, and they went home with another loss, 98-93 to the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Alvarado, out with a right ankle injury, missed his fourth straight game. He last played a week ago Friday in Boston, for 10 minutes. Coach Mike Brown has given little indication that the absence will drag on, so this looks like a short-term problem.

Tyler Kolek has made it easier to live with. The backup guard came in with 21 assists and no turnovers over New York's previous three games, a steady stretch for a team that needed someone to settle the offense. That kind of ball security is hard to find in a fill-in, and the Knicks have leaned on it.

Even so, the title defense has started slowly. New York has dropped a run of close games to open the season, and this was another one that got away by five. Philadelphia, by contrast, has begun well. It also came in with some history, having spoiled the Knicks' ring ceremony on Opening Night. The rematch was New York's chance to return the favor. It did not.

The Knicks are still the team the rest of the league measures itself against, which is why nobody in Philadelphia was going to treat them as wounded. LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey played host, and the early days of the James era in Philly now include a second win over the champions in two weeks.

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