NEW YORK — Every team needs a statement win. They need that win that lets everybody know that they have just as good a chance as anybody to get the job done in April and May when the playoffs roll around.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been a good team, but they haven’t had that type of win yet. That win that makes people raise their eyebrows and go “hmm.” Their 116-107 road win over the New York Knicks on Friday might be that type of win.

Tyrese Maxey returned from illness to score 30 points while rookie VJ Edgecombe had 18 points after halftime to score 23 for the night and played terrific defense on Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Is this the win the Sixers needed to plant their flag in the Eastern Conference?

“It’s just another win,” Maxey said afterward. “We need to win as much as possible, and coming here, we know that they’ve been playing really well. They played all their guys, I think, and we were able to come out with a W, so that’s good.”

With that being said, yes, it’s just another win, but this win is one the Sixers can hang their hat on. The big challenge now? Well, they have another game on Saturday when they host the Dallas Mavericks.

“It definitely feels good to win. Especially, against a team in the East. You know what I mean? Yeah. I mean, we have a game tomorrow,” Maxey shrugged and laughed. “So we got to–you know, it’s the NBA. So, we got to go out and try to win another one tomorrow (Saturday).”

The Sixers still have 56 games to go following the win over the Knicks, so there is still a long way to go before the season is over and the playoffs begin. The rookie Edgecombe echoed Maxey’s sentiments when discussing whether this win helps Philadelphia make a statement.

“Nah,” he said succinctly. “I think it’s just another win, to be honest. Obviously, it’s a really good team, but it’s just another win. We have a long ways to go. We gotta keep getting better and on to the next game. Which is tomorrow.”

Either way, the Sixers going into Madison Square Garden and earning a win over a terrific Knicks team is a solid win and it’s one Philadelphia can build on.

“The Knicks are a tough team,” Andre Drummond said. “They’re a tough team. They’re coming off a championship in the in-season tournament. They’re a team that—they don’t quit. They don’t quit. So, we had to grind this one out, and we did what we had to do and we won.”