Knicks begin NBA Cup title defense with shot at revenge against LeBron James, 76ers

· New York Post

CHICAGO — The Knicks will start their secondary title defense like they began their primary — against LeBron and the 76ers. 

The group stage of the NBA Cup kicks off for the Knicks on Friday night in Philadelphia, a rematch of the regular-season opener from 10 days prior. 

The Knicks lost that matchup, 106-100, because Tyrese Maxey took off and LeBron finished. This time, the Knicks (2-3) are coming off consecutive victories — against the Pistons and Bulls — while Philadelphia (4-1) is still riding the pace and skill of Maxey, the reigning Eastern Conference player of the week. 

LeBron James looks to make a move on Josh Hart during the Knicks’ season-opening loss to the 76ers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“We just need to obviously not do what we did [the last time we played them],” Jalen Brunson said. 

Brunson broke out of his shooting slump in Wednesday’s victory over the Bulls, reeling off 38 points with six treys. 

The Knicks are in the toughest NBA Cup group with the Sixers, Pacers (game on Nov. 13), Cavs (Nov. 25) and Heat (Nov. 27). The winner automatically advances to the quarterfinals, along with two wild cards from the six groups. 

Last year, the Knicks won the tournament, with the semifinals and finals held in Vegas. This year, if they advance, the semis are at the home team’s arena and the final is at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indiana, the historic basketball site from “Hoosiers” and home of Butler University. 

Despite winning the NBA Cup, Knicks owner James Dolan declined to hang the banner until they won the NBA Finals. 

NJalen Brunson drives past Tyrese Maxey during the Knicks’ loss to the 76ers in their season opener. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Pacôme Dadiet will hit free agency in the summer because the Knicks, as expected, are declining to pick up his $5.4 million team option for next season, a source confirmed. 

Dadiet, a 2024 first-round pick, has been out of the rotation again and is worth more to the Knicks as a trade chip on an expiring deal than on the books for over $5 million next season. 

The 21-year-old Frenchman has logged one minute this season. For his career, Dadiet is averaging 1.6 points on 33 percent shooting. He’s the lone Knicks first-round pick on the roster. 

ESPN first reported that the Knicks were declining Dadiet’s option. The deadline is Saturday. 

Sixers star Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable for Friday with knee soreness. Neither Joel Embiid nor LeBron James are on the injury report.