Updated / Wednesday, 21 Oct 2026 09:18
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LeBron James shoots a layup
LeBron James scored 14 points on his competitive debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they downed reigning champions the New York Knicks on the opening night of the new NBA season.
Prior to the game, the Knicks received their championship rings from Walt "Clyde" Frazier - a member of the team's previous title-winning teams in 1970 and 1973 and an analyst on New York's television broadcast team - and raised the banner commemorating the long-awaited crown.
However, the 76ers, who were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals before adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James over the summer, dampened the festivities by taking the lead for good with an 11-0 run to end the third quarter.
Brown (19 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and James produced strong debuts for the 76ers, who haven't won the title since 1983.
Forty-one-year-old James opted to extend his hall-of-fame career in the off-season by signing a deal with Philly, and played 34 minutes in their 106-100 victory.
Tyrese Maxey topped the scoring with 28 points while Jalen Brunson posted 21 for the Knicks.
Speaking to NBC, James said: "I could be a lot better. Still getting my rhythm, obviously just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad.
"But I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well."