Philadelphia left Madison Square Garden with a 106-100 win, turning New York’s championship celebration into a losing start to its title defense.
The Knicks celebrated their championship before Tuesday’s opener, but Philadelphia took the first win of the new season. The 76ers defeated New York 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on October 20, with Tyrese Maxey leading the visitors with 28 points.
Jalen Brunson finished with 21 points on 6-for-19 shooting, adding five rebounds and three assists. He made all eight free throws.
Philadelphia gained the advantage in the third quarter, outscoring New York 29-18. The Knicks mounted a late challenge, but the visitors protected their lead. That stretch separated the teams on a night that began with New York celebrating what it had accomplished last season.
LeBron James opened his Philadelphia tenure with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown supplied 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The newcomers contributed without displacing Maxey as the team’s leading scorer in the opener.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds for New York. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid had 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
The championship ceremony and the game produced different endings for New York. Philadelphia’s decisive third quarter and resistance to the Knicks’ late challenge left Brunson and his teammates starting their title defense 0-1.
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