The Philadelphia 76ers began their NBA season with an impressive 106–100 victory over the defending champion New York Knicks, spoiling the home team's championship celebrations at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
LeBron James made a winning start to his Philadelphia career, contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the revamped 76ers overcame a challenging road test in their opening game of the 2026–27 campaign.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, while Jaylen Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game for the franchise.
The Knicks had entered the contest in celebratory mood after receiving their championship rings and raising their title banner before tip-off. However, Philadelphia's defensive performance ensured the occasion ended in disappointment for the home crowd.
LeBron James Makes Winning 76ers Debut
James began his record-extending 24th NBA season in a new uniform after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to join Philadelphia during the offseason.
The 41-year-old did not need to dominate the scoring to make an impact. Instead, he contributed across several areas, helping Philadelphia maintain its composure during a competitive encounter.
His passing and rebounding helped the 76ers build connections between their new and established stars. James also made an important defensive contribution late in the game, helping prevent New York from completing a comeback.
The victory provided an encouraging first result for Philadelphia's new-look roster, which has been assembled with the ambition of challenging for the NBA championship.
Tyrese Maxey Leads Philadelphia's Attack
While James attracted much of the attention, Maxey delivered the game's highest scoring total with 28 points.
The guard provided an important attacking outlet as Philadelphia worked through periods when its outside shooting was inconsistent. His ability to attack the basket and score in transition helped the visitors stay competitive before they took control in the second half.
Brown also made a significant contribution in his Philadelphia debut, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The former Boston Celtics star added scoring, rebounding and defensive intensity, giving the 76ers another option alongside James, Maxey and Joel Embiid.
Embiid finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, contributing on the glass and defensively despite struggling to find consistent shooting rhythm.
Knicks' Championship Celebration Ends in Defeat
The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden was electric before the game as New York celebrated its championship triumph from the previous season.
The Knicks had ended a 53-year wait for an NBA title in June, making the banner-raising ceremony a major moment for the franchise and its supporters.
However, the defending champions struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against Philadelphia's defence.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 21 points, but he made only six of his 19 attempts from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, yet the Knicks could not produce enough scoring in the closing stages.
Philadelphia's defensive pressure became particularly important late in the fourth quarter, when New York attempted to narrow the gap.
The visitors forced difficult possessions and limited the Knicks' opportunities to score, protecting their advantage until the final buzzer.
Philadelphia's Defence Makes the Difference
The 76ers' victory was built on more than the arrival of high-profile players. Their ability to defend under pressure proved decisive.
Philadelphia held New York to 100 points and disrupted the Knicks' attempts to generate efficient scoring opportunities, particularly through Brunson.
The visitors also received valuable contributions from their bench, with Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hitting important three-pointers.
Those supporting performances helped Philadelphia remain competitive even when its own long-range shooting was inconsistent.
For head coach Nick Nurse, the result offered an early indication of how the team's new collection of stars could work together. The challenge will be maintaining that defensive intensity and developing greater consistency as the season progresses.
What the Result Means for the 76ers
The opening-night win gives Philadelphia an encouraging start as it seeks to challenge the leading teams in the Eastern Conference.
James brings extensive championship experience, while Brown adds another proven scorer and Maxey continues to provide pace and attacking production. Embiid's contribution inside also remains central to the team's ambitions.
However, one victory does not settle questions about how the roster will perform over a full season. Philadelphia must continue building chemistry, manage its players' workloads and maintain its defensive standards against different opponents.
The 76ers will return home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, while the Knicks will look to respond when they meet the Boston Celtics on Friday.
For now, Philadelphia has secured an early statement win, while James has begun his new chapter with a victory over the reigning champions on one of the NBA's biggest stages.
Final score: Philadelphia 76ers 106–100 New York Knicks
Top performers
Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey — 28 points; Jaylen Brown — 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists; LeBron James — 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson — 21 points; Karl-Anthony Towns — 19 points and 12 rebounds