Knicks vs 76ers Box Score: Full Stats, Player Grades and Key Takeaways

The New York Knicks opened their 2026-27 NBA preseason with a 120-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, Oct. 5, at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The final margin was lopsided, but the result needs context. New York played its championship starting five for only about 15 minutes, while Philadelphia held out Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey. The game was therefore less about the preseason record and more about evaluating the Knicks’ rotation, backup-center competition and supporting cast.

For anyone looking for the Knicks vs 76ers box score, the most important numbers are straightforward: Philadelphia shot 42.3% from the field and 34.8% from three, while New York shot just 38.5% overall and 19.5% from three. The Sixers also made 16 threes to New York’s eight.

Knicks vs 76ers: Final Score and Box Score

Final: 76ers 120, Knicks 97

The game was competitive early, with Philadelphia holding only a one-point advantage after the first quarter. The Sixers then opened the game up by winning the second quarter 39-26 and taking a 72-58 halftime lead. New York never seriously threatened after the break.

Key team statistics

The clearest difference was three-point shooting. New York attempted 41 threes but converted only eight, while Philadelphia made 16 of 46. That 24-point difference from beyond the arc played a major role in the final margin.

Who Started for the Knicks?

Mike Brown used the same five players who helped New York win the 2026 NBA championship:

• Jalen Brunson
• Mikal Bridges
• Josh Hart
• OG Anunoby
• Karl-Anthony Towns

The group played limited preseason minutes, with every starter finishing between 13 and 15 minutes.

That limited workload is important when evaluating the Knicks’ performance. Brown has emphasized managing his starters’ minutes during preseason rather than chasing exhibition wins. The approach also gave the team’s reserve players an extended opportunity to compete for roles.

How Did Jalen Brunson Look in His Return?

Brunson looked healthy and productive in his first preseason appearance following offseason left-wrist surgery.

The reigning Finals MVP finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in 14:51, shooting 4-of-8 from the field, 2-of-5 from three and 2-of-2 at the free-throw line.

More important than the raw scoring total was how comfortable Brunson looked handling the ball and shooting from distance. He played only the first half, which was exactly the sort of controlled workload expected from a star returning from surgery.

Brunson’s wrist was a major storyline entering training camp after he played through the injury during New York’s championship run. His first preseason appearance offered an encouraging sign without requiring the Knicks to expose him to unnecessary minutes.

Knicks Player Grades vs. 76ers

The following grades are editorial evaluations based on production, efficiency, role and preseason context.

Andre Drummond: A-

Drummond was arguably New York’s best player relative to his role. He finished with six points, five rebounds and three blocks in roughly 12 minutes, providing physicality around the rim and a defensive presence. He also posted the Knicks’ best plus-minus at +9.

For a team trying to determine its backup-center rotation, that was meaningful.

Landry Shamet: B+

Shamet provided exactly what New York needed from its veteran bench shooter: spacing. He scored 10 points, including two three-pointers, and was one of the few Knicks consistently threatening Philadelphia from outside.

Tyler Kolek: B

Kolek’s five assists were particularly encouraging. His job in the preseason is not necessarily to score 20 points; it is to organize the second unit and make the offense function.

Five assists in limited preseason action made him one of New York’s more effective reserve playmakers.

James Wiseman: B

Wiseman’s eight points and five rebounds in nine minutes gave him a solid opening argument in the battle for backup-center minutes. He shot 3-of-4 from the field but struggled at the free-throw line.

The physical tools remain obvious. The next step is consistency.

OG Anunoby: B+

Anunoby led the starters in several categories, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds while going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. He was also the only Knicks starter to finish with a positive plus-minus.

What Went Wrong for the Knicks Offensively?

Three-point shooting was the biggest problem.

New York finished just 8-of-41 from three, a 19.5% conversion rate. The Knicks also struggled from the free-throw line, making 19 of 32 attempts.

There is no reason to treat those percentages as a prediction for the regular season. Preseason rotations are unusual, players are working on specific concepts and starters are not playing normal minutes.

Still, the game exposed an obvious issue: when Brunson is off the floor, New York needs reliable shot creation and shooting around its secondary units.

Did the Knicks’ Defense Struggle Too?

Yes, particularly during Philadelphia’s second-quarter surge.

The Sixers shot 53% from the field and 46% from three during the first half, turning a one-point first-quarter lead into a 14-point halftime advantage.

The defensive evaluation is complicated by the personnel Philadelphia used. The Sixers were without Embiid, Maxey and LeBron, meaning this was not a test against Philadelphia’s expected full-strength offense.

Still, New York’s reserves struggled to contain Philadelphia’s young guards and perimeter attack once the starters exited.

What Did the Knicks Learn About Their Bench?

Probably more than the final score suggests.

The preseason opener was effectively an audition for players competing for rotation and roster opportunities. Drummond, Wiseman, Kolek, Shamet and Diawara all had moments that could influence how Brown manages the bench.

The biggest position battle remains center depth. Towns is the starting center, while Drummond and Wiseman are competing for reserve responsibilities. Drummond’s three blocks and +9 plus-minus made a particularly strong first impression.

The game also gave Kolek a chance to demonstrate his value as a facilitator rather than a scorer.

The Biggest Knicks vs. 76ers Preseason Takeaways

1. Don’t overreact to the 23-point loss

The Knicks’ starters barely played half a game, and Philadelphia also rested major stars. This was an evaluation exercise rather than a regular-season measuring stick.

2. Brunson’s wrist looked fine

The most important individual development was Brunson returning to game action without an obvious issue following surgery. His 12 points came efficiently in fewer than 15 minutes.

3. New York needs better three-point shooting

Eight makes on 41 attempts is the most concerning number from the Knicks’ box score. The volume was there; the accuracy was not.

4. Drummond strengthened his backup-center case

Three blocks, five rebounds and a team-best +9 in limited minutes made Drummond one of the night’s clearest winners.

5. The bench is still being evaluated

Brown has much more to learn about the Knicks’ second unit than he does about his championship starting lineup. Players such as Kolek, Diawara, Wiseman and Shamet have an opportunity to shape the rotation before opening night.

Knicks vs 76ers: What’s Next?

The Knicks’ preseason continues Oct. 8 against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden, followed by additional games against Minnesota and Toronto before the regular season begins.

The most important change to watch will be minutes. As the preseason progresses, Brown should gradually increase the workload for Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby and Towns.

The Knicks and 76ers will also meet again in the regular season on Oct. 20, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.

That game will be a much better indicator of where these teams stand because the stakes, rotations and expected workloads will be completely different.

source: ESPN.com

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