By admin 
NEW YORK – Jalen Brunson’s desperation 3-pointer hit nothing but air, and a packed Madison Square Garden began to empty out.
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In the debut of the Philadelphia 76ers’ revamped roster featuring the shocking additions of all-time great LeBron James and All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown, their defense propelled them to a 106-100 victory Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden to spoil the New York Knicks’ title celebration.
The Sixers’ first win occurred after the Knicks received their 2025-26 championship rings and raised the banner in front of an energized home crowd. Sixers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged this opponent, which returned the bulk of its roster, would be a challenging test out of the gate.
Their defense was up to it, holding the Knicks to 37% from the floor, including a 6 of 19 mark from Finals MVP and former Villanova star Brunson. That helped the Sixers survive when they also were cold from deep range for much of the night. The Sixers pulled ahead in the third quarter, then held off the Knicks in the final minutes.
The Sixers’ home opener is Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who advanced to the Eastern Conference finals last season and are one of James’ former teams.
James, Brown gain momentum in debuts
Though James (14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) and Brown (19 points, eight rebounds, six assists) both initially struggled with shot efficiency, they flashed an early chemistry with each other.
In the first quarter, James’ first assist as a Sixer was Brown’s first bucket as a Sixer. Late in the second frame, James found Brown for a dunk.
In the third, Brown returned the favor on consecutive possessions. Following an alley-oop that Brown threw up to James, Brown again dished to James for a finish to convert a Knicks turnover into points.
James’ balanced line demonstrated his expected role as a facilitator first. Brown played stout defense, while two third-quarter dunks – plus an off-balance shot from behind the arc at the buzzer – helped push the Sixers ahead entering the final period.
Maxey mania
Even with the Sixers’ star newcomers, Tyrese Maxey was their top scorer with a game-high 28 points.
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The All-NBA point guard got free for two quick 3-pointers, on a night the Sixers went 11-of-40 from long range as a team. He dashed into the open court in transition. And he was a legitimate defensive playmaker, including when he leapt up to take the ball away from Brunson and drew the foul on the opposite end.
And he flexed in front of the Knicks’ bench early in the fourth quarter, when he got downhill and converted a floater through contact.
Big-man battle
For the bulk of the first half, the best center on the floor was … Andre Drummond.
The former Sixer who signed with the Knicks in free agency provided a massive lift when All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns got in foul trouble, with 10 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks before the break. The fans inside The Garden serenaded him with chants of his name, and gave him a loud ovation when he checked out of the game.
Embiid, meanwhile, went 4 of 14 from the floor but totaled 11 rebounds, three blocks and six assists (and four turnovers). He found a bit of offensive rhythm in the second quarter, when he bumped Drummond and hit a jumper and then sank a three-pointer from the top. He buried another beyond-the-arc shot, then twice found VJ Edgecombe inside for a drawn foul and dunk to increase the Sixers’ lead to 102-98 with less than three minutes to play.
The former MVP also twice denied Drummond at the rim in the fourth quarter, and generally looked more mobile defensively.
Worth noting
– Sixers reserve center Ariel Hukporti, who tore his Achilles tendon in their preseason opener against the Knicks earlier this month, was in the building to receive his championship ring. He was the Knicks’ third-string center last season, behind Towns and stout backup Mitchell Robinson. Hukporti is out for the season, and Sixers coach Nick Nurse said before the game that he was unsure how much the big man would be around his new team during his rehabilitation.
– The Sixers’ primary reserves were Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons, who both hit key 3-pointers in the second half. Adem Bona and Jabari Walker also played, while rookie Labaron Philon Jr. did not. Dean Wade, who is expected to be a key rotation player, missed the game with an ankle injury.
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This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 7:50 PM.