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Knicks' title defence begins with home loss to 76ers
AP • October 21st, 2026 5:50 pm
The Sixers have rolled into New York and enjoyed spoiling the defending champions' season opener | Photo: AP
Philadelphia have sent an opening-night message they'll be a contender for New York's NBA title after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, rallying for a 106-100 win.
Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points and Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game since being acquired from Boston. James began his NBA-record 24th season on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ Time) by finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Jalen Brunson scored 21 points, but the NBA Finals MVP shot just 6-for-19 from the field.
Pre-game, the first championship banner since 1973 was raised at Madison Square Garden.
It was a big night in New York, but partly spoiled by the 76ers | Photo: AP
But things move quickly in New York. After struggling through their opener, the Knicks know there's work ahead to stay at the top.
"Like, we shouldn't sit there and think that we're champions, because we're not," New York forward Josh Hart said.
"Right now we're 0-1. We're the worst team in the NBA, as of right now."
The 76ers closed the third quarter with an 11-0 run, capped by Brown's second straight three-pointer that came at the buzzer and gave Philadelphia an 83-76 lead.
The Knicks cut it to 96-95 when Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 12 rebounds) made a triple, but Joel Embiid (13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists) answered with one and the Sixers stayed ahead.
LeBron James went close to a triple-double in his first regular-season game for the 76ers | Photo: AP
In San Antonio, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points and Oklahoma City scored a 116-104 victory over the Spurs, the team that ended their dreams of a title defence last season.
Jared McCain added 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting on three-pointers as the Thunder led for all but the opening five minutes of the game.
San Antonio's Stephon Castle had 24 points, Dylan Walker 18 and Victor Wembanyama 12.
Earlier, Javonte Green scored 19 points after not playing in the first half and Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists to help hosts Detroit fight back and beat Boston 121-113.
Paul George had an impressive debut in Celtics green and white | Photo: AP
Paul George scored 38 points, the most by a Celtic in his debut. The nine-time All-Star, in his 17th season, showed he's still got it in his first game with Boston since they acquired him from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
Six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum, though, missed 17 of 23 shots, and finished the game with 13 points and 11 assists for the visitors.
Boston took their biggest lead early in the third quarter at 72-50 after George made three triples in less than a minute.
The Pistons cut the deficit to six points after three quarters and surged ahead in the fourth.
Duren had 22 points and nine rebounds, Robinson scored 21 points - making five of nine three-pointers - and Ausar Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit.
"I'm not a moral victory guy," George said after making 12 of 21 shots, including seven of 12 threes.
"It means nothing."
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