LeBron James leads 76ers past Knicks on opening night at Madison Square Garden

When the lights went up at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, most fans expected a quiet celebration of the Knicks’ recent championship. Instead, they got a full‑court showdown – and a surprise ending. LeBron James, now 41 and embarking on a record‑breaking 24th NBA season with his fourth team, helped the Philadelphia 76ers silence the home crowd with a 106‑100 victory.

James wasn’t looking to drop a 30‑point barrage; he kept it modest, adding 14 points and dishing out seven assists out of the 28 that the 76ers collectively recorded. “I could be a lot better,” he told NBC, noting that he was still finding his rhythm with the new squad after just a couple of weeks together. Still, his poise as a facilitator was evident, especially when he set up the night’s high‑scorer, Tyrese Maxey, who poured in a career‑high 28 points.

Philadelphia’s roster, bolstered by a summer trade that sent Paul George to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown, clicked on both ends. Brown contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Joel Embiid notched a double‑double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Knicks, fresh off ending a 53‑year title drought last season, answered back with Jalen Brunson’s 21 points and Karl‑Anthony Towns’ 19 points and 12 rebounds, but the 76ers held firm after retaking the lead in the third quarter.

Before the tip‑off, Knicks legends Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier presented the championship rings to the team in an emotional ceremony that featured celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Jon Bon Jovi and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP, told the crowd they were “ready to turn the page,” hoping to repeat the feat of the 2018 champion squad.

James admitted the timing felt special. “It’s pretty special,” he said, smiling as he watched the championship banner rise. The win gave the 76ers a confidence boost heading into a season where they’ll look to blend veteran savvy with youthful energy, especially from Maxey and the newly arrived Brown.

Later that night, the Oklahoma City Thunder kept the opening‑night excitement alive, outscoring the San Antonio Spurs 116‑104 thanks to Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s 32 points. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons sparked a fierce comeback to beat the Boston Celtics 121‑113, capping a night full of surprises and setting the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable 81st NBA season.