76ers Beat Champion Knicks 106-100 in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown Debuts

76ers Beat Champion Knicks 106-100 in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown Debuts/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied past the defending NBA champion New York Knicks 106-100 on opening night. Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points in his Philadelphia debut, while LeBron James began his NBA-record 24th season with 14 points. The victory spoiled New York’s championship banner celebration and offered an encouraging start for Philadelphia’s rebuilt roster.

Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James drives during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown, left, celebrates a three-point basket with teammate guard Tyrese Maxey, right, as New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown looks on, center, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown, left, celebrates a three-point basket with teammate guard Tyrese Maxey during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Quick Look

Final score: Philadelphia defeated New York 106-100 at Madison Square Garden.
Leading scorer: Maxey finished with 28 points.
New arrivals: Brown recorded 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists; James added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Decisive stretch: Philadelphia closed the third quarter with an 11-0 run.
Knicks struggle: New York shot 37% overall, with Jalen Brunson making 6 of 19 attempts.
Next games: The 76ers host Cleveland on Thursday; the Knicks visit Boston on Friday.

Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James yells during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates after making a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots as Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (23) and Jaylen Brown (7) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Deep Look

Revamped 76ers Open With Win Over Defending Champions

The Philadelphia 76ers began their season with a 106-100 road victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, rallying behind Tyrese Maxey and a roster strengthened by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.

Maxey scored 28 points as Philadelphia overcame an uneven start and spoiled the defending champions’ opening-night celebration.

Brown, acquired from Boston, delivered 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game with the Sixers.

James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists as he opened his NBA-record 24th season.

Philadelphia’s Bench Capitalizes on Defensive Attention

The 76ers also received important perimeter contributions from their reserves.

Anfernee Simons made three 3-pointers, while newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added two.

Both benefited from open opportunities as New York concentrated its defensive attention on Philadelphia’s higher-profile players.

Joel Embiid contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Knicks Celebrate Championship Before Tipoff

Before the game, the Knicks raised their championship banner and received their rings at Madison Square Garden.

NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson addressed the crowd during the ceremony.

“The joy that this city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again.”

New York won its first championship since 1973 by defeating San Antonio in five games.

Its title run included a second-round sweep of Philadelphia and a 13-game winning streak. The Knicks finished the postseason 16-3 with the highest point differential in NBA playoff history.

Brown and James Bring New Look to Philadelphia

Following that playoff exit, Philadelphia traded for Brown and signed James after the NBA’s career scoring leader left the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tuesday’s opener provided an early indication of the revamped team’s potential, although the Sixers needed time to settle into the game.

New York briefly built a 10-point advantage during a first half marked by fouls and missed shots.

Philadelphia reduced the deficit to 58-54 by halftime.

Third-Quarter Run Turns Game Toward Sixers

The 76ers took control late in the third quarter with an 11-0 run.

Brown capped the surge with his second consecutive 3-pointer, beating the buzzer to give Philadelphia an 83-76 lead.

A Maxey three-point play early in the fourth quarter extended the advantage to 87-78.

The Knicks later pulled within 96-95 on a Karl-Anthony Towns 3-pointer, but Embiid answered from beyond the arc and Philadelphia remained ahead.

Brunson and Knicks Struggle to Find Shooting Rhythm

Brunson scored 21 points but shot 6 for 19, unable to deliver the late baskets that helped define New York’s championship run.

Wearing gold sneakers for the occasion, he could not complete another comeback.

Towns finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Knicks shot 37% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range as their festive opening night ended in defeat.

Upcoming Games

The 76ers host Cleveland on Thursday night.

The Knicks travel to Boston on Friday night.