LeBron James scored 14 points on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they beat champions the New York Knicks 106-100 on the NBA season’s opening night.
The 41-year-old, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, also recorded seven assists. He is starting a record-extending 24th season in the league with his fourth team after his summer move from the LA Lakers.
Tyrese Maxey top-scored for the 76ers with 28 points. Jaylen Brown also made his debut after joining from the Boston Celtics in a high-profile trade for Paul George. He scored 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists.
Knicks celebrate before defeat
The Knicks held title celebrations before the game, raising their third championship banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden. The crowd included celebrity Knicks fans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee. The Knicks received their title rings from Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier, a member of the franchise’s previous title-winning teams in 1970 and 1973.
The Knicks ended a 53-year title drought with their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Finals. They could not open their new campaign with a win, though, as the 76ers held out after taking the lead in the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
“I could be a lot better,” James told broadcaster NBC. “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, especially defensively.”
Pistons beat Celtics
In the opening match of the NBA’s 81st season, the Detroit Pistons fought back in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points each. Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 in the fourth quarter as the home side sealed victory with a 23-0 scoring run.
Celtics debutant Paul George scored 38 points for his new side in a match between last season’s top two regular-season teams.
Thunder see off Spurs
In the night’s final game, back-to-back NBA most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they beat the San Antonio Spurs 116-104.
Stephon Castle top-scored for the Spurs with 24 points, but his side could not match the form that saw them knock out defending champions Thunder in last season’s Western Conference finals.
Victor Wembanyama made just one basket from 13 attempts. He still contributed 13 rebounds and six blocked shots, and scored 12 points largely thanks to 10 free throws.
“Obviously, this is the team that eliminated us from achieving our goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“But for us, I think it was more like we’re just happy to be back. It’s a longer summer when you don’t win and we felt that this summer.”