Oct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers finally have their first win of the season, and they have Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown to thank. Maxey exploded for 28 points, three steals, and three blocks, while Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Philadelphia defeated the New York Knicks 106-100.
The victory wasn’t pretty offensively. The 76ers shot just 41.6% from the field and an ugly 27.5% from three-point range, but they made up for their shooting struggles with ball movement, defensive activity, and timely scoring. Philadelphia finished with 28 assists, 10 blocks, and eight steals, forcing New York into 15 turnovers while committing only 10 of its own.
The Knicks had opportunities to steal the game, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns recording 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jalen Brunson adding 21 points. However, New York shot just 37.2% from the field and struggled to get consistent offense. Philadelphia also received 13 points from Anfernee Simons off the bench, while Joel Embiid had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
For the 76ers, this was about more than one victory. Maxey and Brown showed the potential of their partnership, and Philadelphia’s defense stepped up when its offense wasn’t clicking. There’s plenty to clean up, but getting that first win is a meaningful step in the right direction.
Tyrese Maxey: A
Game Stats: 28 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 3 BLK, 2 TOV, 9-19 FG, 2-9 3-PT FG, 8-9 FT, 40 MIN
Maxey was the engine of Philadelphia’s offense, pouring in 28 points in 40 minutes. He shot 9-19 from the field and added five assists, three steals, and three blocks. His two three-pointers came on nine attempts, so the perimeter shooting wasn’t especially sharp, but he repeatedly found ways to pressure the defense and get to the free-throw line, where he made eight of nine attempts. Maxey’s defensive production was just as impressive as his scoring, and his +11 plus-minus reflected his overall influence. When the 76ers needed a lead scorer, he delivered.
Jaylen Brown: A-
Game Stats: 19 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TOV, 7-14 FG, 2-4 3-PT FG, 3-4 FT, 35 MIN
Brown was a major reason Philadelphia got across the finish line. He finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on an efficient 7-14 shooting night. He also knocked down two three-pointers and recorded a steal and a block while committing only two turnovers. Brown’s +17 plus-minus was the best among the 76ers’ starters, underscoring how effective the team was during his minutes. He didn’t need to dominate the ball to make an impact, and his balanced performance complemented Maxey perfectly.
Anfernee Simons: B+
Game Stats: 13 PTS, 2 REB, 5-10 FG, 3-8 3-PT FG, 25 MIN
Simons provided a strong scoring punch off the bench, finishing with 13 points on 5-10 shooting. He knocked down three three-pointers and added two rebounds while committing no turnovers. His minus-five plus-minus wasn’t ideal, but his shooting helped Philadelphia compensate for the cold perimeter nights from several starters. Simons gave the 76ers exactly the type of bench scoring they needed in a close game.
Joel Embiid: B
Game Stats: 13 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK, 4 TOV, 4-15 FG, 2-7 3-PT FG, 3-4 FT, 33 MIN
Embiid recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding six assists, two steals, and three blocks. His defensive presence was significant, and he helped Philadelphia protect the paint against New York’s frontcourt. The downside was his shooting: he made just four of 15 attempts, including two of seven from three-point range. Four turnovers also hurt his overall efficiency. Still, Embiid’s rebounding and rim protection played a meaningful role in the win.
LeBron James: B
Game Stats: 14 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TOV, 5-13 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 4-6 FT, 34 MIN
James delivered an all-around performance with 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block. He shot just 5-13 from the field and missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, but he kept the offense moving and committed only one turnover. His four fouls and minus-two plus-minus weren’t ideal, yet his playmaking helped Philadelphia generate 28 assists as a team. James didn’t have his most efficient scoring night, but he contributed across the board.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: B
Game Stats: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK, 3-8 FG, 2-6 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 26 MIN
Caldwell-Pope scored 10 points in 26 minutes, making three of eight shots and two three-pointers. He added four rebounds, an assist, and a block without committing a turnover. His perimeter shooting was valuable on a night when Philadelphia made only 11 threes as a team. He wasn’t a high-volume scorer, but he gave the 76ers a dependable contribution on both ends.
VJ Edgecombe: C+
Game Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 TOV, 4-10 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 1-2 FT, 35 MIN
Edgecombe finished with nine points, four rebounds, and one assist in 35 minutes. He shot 4-10 from the field and didn’t turn the ball over, but he went scoreless from three-point range on three attempts. Four fouls also limited his defensive flexibility. He wasn’t a major offensive contributor, but his effort and ability to avoid mistakes helped Philadelphia’s starters maintain some stability. The rookie will need to become more consistent as a scorer, and he will find his role with time.
Adem Bona: C
Game Stats: 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK, 10 MIN
Bona contributed three rebounds, one assist, and a block in 10 minutes without attempting a shot or turning the ball over. His energy around the rim gave Philadelphia some useful defensive minutes, even though his offensive role was minimal. He did enough in a short stint to help the 76ers maintain their defense.
Jabari Walker: N/A
Game Stats: 1 AST, 3 MIN
Walker played just three minutes, finishing scoreless with one assist. He didn’t attempt a shot and committed one foul. His role was too small to make a meaningful impact on the outcome.