The Philadelphia 76ers spoiled the New York Knicks’ championship banner night with a 106-100 victory Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, as LeBron James made his debut for his new team in a record-extending 24th season.
James, who joined the 76ers this summer after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28 points, while new teammate Jaylen Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game after a trade from Boston.
The Knicks raised their first championship banner since 1973 before tip-off, ending a 53-year drought after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Finals. Celebrities including Spike Lee and Ben Stiller were among the crowd of 19,812 that watched the pregame ceremony.
During the second quarter, James was heard on a courtside microphone criticizing the officiating.
“They getting that championship whistle. They win one chip, they get a championship whistle,” he said, repeating the remark moments later.
The free-throw numbers did not support a clear disparity. Both teams attempted 27 free throws. The 76ers made 21 (77.8 percent) while the Knicks made 19 (70.4 percent). Philadelphia committed 23 fouls to New York’s 22.
Overall shooting favored the visitors as well. The 76ers shot 37 of 89 from the field (41.6 percent) and 11 of 40 from three-point range (27.5 percent). The Knicks finished 35 of 94 (37.2 percent) and 11 of 33 from deep (33.3 percent).
Jalen Brunson scored 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting for the Knicks, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Joel Embiid contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, while the 76ers also got key three-pointers from reserves Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The 76ers trailed by as many as 10 points but took the lead in the third quarter and never relinquished it, outscoring the Knicks 29-18 in that period. New York cut the margin to four points late but could not complete the comeback.
James, 41, is in his first season with a fourth franchise after stints in Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles. He signed a two-year deal with Philadelphia following the Knicks’ title run.
After the game, James acknowledged the historical weight of the night for New York fans.
“I wouldn’t say that [ruining the night]. It was a great night for New York fans. Obviously, it’s something, you said, 50-plus years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years,” he said.
He added that “The fans will never forget this moment, will never forget that championship run. We were happy that we were just able to come and play on such a historical night, a historical building, and play the game we love.”
James also noted he is still finding his rhythm after limited time with the new roster. The 76ers’ balanced attack and defensive effort helped overcome a quiet scoring night from their newest star, who went 5-of-13 from the field and missed all three three-point attempts.
The teams will meet three more times in the regular season. Both enter as expected contenders in the Eastern Conference after Philadelphia’s offseason additions of James and Brown alongside Embiid and Maxey.
The Knicks open their title defense at 0-1 while the 76ers begin 1-0. Philadelphia hosts Cleveland on Thursday, giving James another early test against a former team.
