The Philadelphia 76ers sent an opening-night message that they intend to challenge the New York Knicks for the NBA title, rallying for a 106-100 victory at Madison Square Garden on the very night New York raised its first championship banner since 1973.
Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points and newcomer Jaylen Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game since arriving from Boston, while LeBron James opened his NBA-record 24th season with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The 76ers closed the third quarter on an 11-0 run, capped by a Brown three-pointer at the buzzer that gave Philadelphia an 83-76 lead it would not relinquish.
A rough night for the defending champions
Jalen Brunson, fresh off being named Finals MVP, scored 21 points but shot just 6-for-19 from the field as the Knicks shot 37% overall and 33.3% from three. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds, but New York's title defense opened with a reminder of how quickly the conference picture has shifted: Philadelphia added both James and Brown over the offseason, giving the 76ers the kind of top-end talent many analysts now consider a genuine threat to the champions.
Before tipoff, Brunson told the Madison Square Garden crowd during the ring ceremony, 'The joy that this city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again' — a line that will carry more weight if the Knicks can shake off an opening-night performance well below the standard that won them last season's title.
Thunder roll, Pistons stun Boston
In San Antonio, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Spurs, avenging last season's Game 7 home playoff loss that ended Oklahoma City's bid for a repeat title. The win was a statement that the Thunder, even after that early playoff exit, remain the team to beat in the West.
The night's biggest upset came in Detroit, where the Pistons erased a 22-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113, spoiling Paul George's debut in a Celtics uniform after Boston's offseason trade for the forward. The comeback marked an emphatic statement from a Pistons team looking to build on last season's surprise playoff run.
The joy that this city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again.
Jalen Brunson, addressing Knicks fans before Philadelphia's win
What happens next
With James at 24 seasons and counting, Philadelphia's title credentials will be tested far more rigorously over an 82-game season than in one opening-night win, but Tuesday gave the 76ers an immediate marker against the team many had picked to repeat. For the Knicks, the sloppy shooting night is one they'll hope was opening-night rust rather than a sign of deeper problems to come.
