LeBron James kicked off his record-extending 24th NBA season in unforgettable fashion, debuting for the Philadelphia 76ers and spoiling the defending champion New York Knicks’ ring night at Madison Square Garden with a gritty 106-100 victory.
Joining forces with fellow star acquisition Jaylen Brown and franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid, James tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to help power Philadelphia’s second-half surge.
Second-half comeback silences MSG
After the Knicks raised their championship banner and took a 58-54 lead into halftime, Philadelphia shifted momentum after the break. Behind an explosive 11-0 run late in the third quarter capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Brown, the 76ers erased the deficit.
Young star guard Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28 points, delivering timely baskets down the stretch while the Sixers’ defense locked in.
Knicks stumble on ring night
The defending champions struggled to regain their rhythm late, hindered by 37% shooting from the field and 14 turnovers. Finals MVP Jalen Brunson managed just 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Looking ahead
Despite playing just over two weeks with his new squad, James facilitated the offense smoothly alongside Philadelphia’s bench depth. The 76ers look to carry their momentum home as they prepare to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, while the Knicks head to Boston on Friday seeking redemption.
