Knicks Center Finally Breaks Through in 76ers Victory

The New York Knicks are thrilled after a 111-99 win against the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Cup opener at Wells Fargo Center.

In the game, Joel Embiid made his season debut for the Sixers, where he had 13 points in 26 minutes of action. Karl-Anthony Towns outmatched him, dropping 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the win.

“I know we know about the talent Joel Embiid has, where he ranks, superbly talented,” Towns said h/t Posting and Toasting. “I just wanted to go out there and do what I could to help us win. [I] found myself early on. [I] hit some shots, gave us a little bit of life, a little bit of energy. I just always want to bring that to the team.”

Towns’ brought energy in the low post that the entire team could feel including Josh Hart, who had a triple-double in the win.

“Obviously Joel is a great defensive player. But first game back, it takes you a little while to get into the rhythm,” Hart said. “[Towns] did what we needed him to do, came out of the gate [and] got a couple of threes, attacked the rim. He set the tone early, got big rebounds and we kind of fed off of that.”

The NBA Cup gives teams an opportunity to ramp up the competitive levels early in the season and prepare teams for playoff-like atmospheres, especially those who have yet to experience it together.

While the Knicks have advanced to the second round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, the team is still learning how to play with another and ingratiate players like Towns and Mikal Bridges into the fold.

Wins like this get the Knicks closer to their goals as they trudge through the season.

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