LeBron James scored 14 points and added seven assists on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, who beat champions the New York Knicks 106-100 on the opening night of the NBA season.
The 41-year-old James is the league’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA champion. He is in a record-extending 24th season with his fourth team after his summer move from the LA Lakers.
Maxey and Brown lead Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey top-scored for the 76ers with 28 points. Jaylen Brown, who also made his debut after joining from the Boston Celtics in a high-profile trade for Paul George, added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The 76ers took the lead in the third quarter and held on to spoil the Knicks’ night.
“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.”
Knicks celebrate before losing
The Knicks raised their third title banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden before the game. The crowd included celebrity Knicks fans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee. Walt “Clyde” Frazier, a member of the franchise’s previous title-winning teams in 1970 and 1973, presented the players with their title rings.
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 the new season with a win, though.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Pistons rally past 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. The game featured last season’s top two regular-season teams.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points each. Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as the home side sealed the win with a 23-0 scoring run.
Celtics debutant Paul George scored 38 points for his new side.
Gilgeous-Alexander powers Thunder
In the night’s final game, back-to-back NBA most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Spurs 116-104.
Stephon Castle top-scored for the Spurs with 24 points. His side could not match the form that saw them eliminate defending champions Thunder in last season’s Western Conference finals.
Victor Wembanyama made just one of 13 shots from the field for the Spurs. 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.”