LeBron James scored 14 points on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they beat champions the New York Knicks 106-100 on the opening night of the NBA season.
The 41-year-old James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, is in a record-extending 24th season with his fourth team after his summer move from the LA Lakers. He also had seven assists.
Tyrese Maxey top-scored for the 76ers with 28 points. Jaylen Brown, who also debuted after joining from the Boston Celtics in a high-profile trade for Paul George, added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
“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 title before losing
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.
New York ended a 53-year title drought by beating the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Finals. They could not open the new season with a win, though, as the 76ers held on after taking the lead in the third quarter.
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 came 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 points in the fourth quarter as the home side sealed the win with a 23-0 run.
Celtics debutant Paul George scored 38 points for his new team in a game between last season’s top two regular-season sides.
Thunder beat Spurs
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 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 of 13 shots for the Spurs. He still contributed 13 rebounds and six blocks, 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.”