The Philadelphia 76ers will need to incorporate all their stars into the offense, as Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe try to develop chemistry with newcomers LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. This group will also have to crash the glass with more effectiveness and address its big-man depth, as it surrendered 53 rebounds on Tuesday night. But it is much better to correct those issues following a 106-100 season-opening road win against the defending NBA champions.
There is supposed to be an adjustment period for the 76ers, especially against a cohesive squad like the New York Knicks, and especially inside an electric Madison Square Garden that just raised a championship banner for the first time in 53 years. Philly upset the Boston Celtics in the 2026 NBA playoffs, only to get swept by the Knickerbockers in the next round. A humbling beatdown overshadowed an ostensible breakthrough, otherwise known as the Sixers way. Or at least it used to be.
True vengeance can only be earned in the postseason, but a revamped roster secured a statement-making win on the champs' ring night. Maxey led the way with 28 points, three steals and three blocks, while Brown was a game-high +17 after posting 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. James totaled 14, nine and seven, assuming a secondary scoring role just as he did most of last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite struggling from the field, Joel Embiid made a big impact in the paint, notching 11 boards, three blocks and two steals.
It is never wise to overstate the importance of a single victory, but Philly fans feel with their entire soul. And they do not usually take kindly to media skepticism.
What people are saying after the 76ers' triumph
“This can't be right. I was told this wouldn't work. There's only one ball. They lost a preseason game to the Celtics. Too much ego. The Knicks would win in a blowout. The Sixers social media is lying, I guess,” @_lukeoutbelow quipped.
Article Continues Below“Love wrecking the Knicks,” Mike P celebrated. “Take that Spike Lee. Lol,” @cobra640 commented. “That was the best basketball I’ve ever watched as a sixers fan,” @FoxtrotS60283 remarked. “Hustle was amazing and the depth was finally {visible} for the first time in my 24 years of life. Thank you Bron!”
The 76ers have improvements to make, and they still bested the Knicks in MSG. The Philly faithful are salivating over this squad's ceiling. Better still, free-agent signing Dean Wade and Dominick Barlow are not even active yet.
Health is always a defining factor for this franchise, but it was a notable first night in what finally feels like a genuinely exhilarating era of 76ers hoops.