76ers defeat champion Knicks 106-100 in LeBron James opening match

The Philadelphia 76ers showed that they will be a contender for the NY Knicks’ NBA trophy after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown and beating the defending champs 106-100 at Madison Square Garden.

Tyrese Maxey notched 28 points and Brown added 19, 8 boards and 6 assists in his 1^st match since being acquired from the Celtics. LeBron started his league-record 24^th campaign by scoring 14 points and also finishing with 9 boards and 6 assists.

The 76ers got 3 three-pointers from Anfernee Simons and 2 from fellow newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the reserves were the key to the triumph.

Jalen Brunson finished with 21 points but he NBA Finals MVP shot just 6 for 19 from the field.

Jalen said to supporters inside Madison Square Garden in a pregame ceremony when the organization raised their NBA championship banner and received their rings that: “The joy that everyone had last season, we will do everything possible to replicate that.”

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However, they started the title defense with a defeat but will have a perfect chance to get on the right track when they face the Celtics in Boston at the end of the week, while Philly welcomes the Cavaliers next.

LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make their Philly debuts, @sixers open the season with a W ‼️

@KingJames: 14 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
@FCHWPO: 19 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST https://t.co/0tdCrZBsLP

— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2026