Basketball star LeBron James began his time with the Philadelphia 76ers with a 106-100 victory in the field of the New York Knicks, who saw the celebration of their NBA title sour on a Tuesday night in which they raised the champion banner to the roof of Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. LeBron finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his first official game with the Sixers.
At 41 years old, “The King” James began his twenty-fourth season in the NBA with a commemorative patch on his jersey. The league’s all-time leading scorer opened a new chapter of his career in the best possible way, now with the goal of winning his fifth ring in the Pennsylvania franchise.
LeBron joined the 76ers in July after 8 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed for 2 years and 8 million dollars and joined Maxey, Joel Embiid and Brown, added from the Boston Celtics, to form a new superteam with the ring as the only objective.
At Madison Square Garden, Embiid had 13 points, eleven rebounds and six assists, while Anfernee Simons contributed another 13 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added ten.
The Knicks had Jalen Brunson as their top scorer, with 21 points, although the point guard finished with six hits on nineteen field goals.
Dominican-American power forward Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and twelve rebounds, Josh Hart scored 14 points and Andre Drummond had 12 points and fourteen rebounds.
The match reached halftime with New York leading 58-54. Maxey supported Philadelphia with 16 points, accompanied by Embiid’s ten. LeBron had five and Brown, also making his debut with his new team, had scored nine with three hits on seven shots.
Brown increased his production in a decisive third quarter. The forward scored ten points with four baskets in six attempts and led the reaction of the Sixers who won that period 29-18.
Philadelphia closed the quarter with a 0-9 run that was worth a seven-point lead at 76-83. It was the boost I needed to face the final twelve minutes ahead and put the pressure on the reigning champion.
The visitors extended the difference to 87-78 in the last period. The Knicks tried to make up ground, but failed to complete the comeback and the Sixers secured a prestigious victory to open their new era.
It should be reported that before the game, the New York Knicks raised the champions’ banner to the roof of Madison Square Garden. The ceremony allowed us to share last June’s achievement with the fans before beginning the defense of the title.
The 2026 flag was added to those of 1970 and 1973, corresponding to the franchise’s other two championships. The players also received their rings, which included a miniature reproduction of Madison Square Garden, as well as personalized details for the members of the squad.
The Knicks won the title after 53 years by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the Finals. And on Tuesday they celebrated that success, but the first victory of the new season went to the Philadelphia quintet.
.@TheGarden đźź° our world https://t.co/fguuDuCgT1
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 21, 2026
