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 James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, is in a record-extending 24th season and playing for 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 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.
Knicks celebrate title before tip-off
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 NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs last season. 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, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 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 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.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points each. Duncan Robinson got 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the home side sealed the win with a 23-0 scoring run.
Celtics debutant Paul George scored 38 points for his new side in a game between last season’s top two regular-season teams.
Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Thunder past 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 the 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 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.”