Maxey scores 28 as 76ers beat Knicks in LeBron James debut

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 20, opening their NBA season with an away victory. LeBron James contributed 14 points and nine rebounds in his first regular-season appearance for Philadelphia, according to Brazilian sports outlet ge.

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New York held a 58-54 halftime advantage, but Philadelphia finished the third quarter with 11 unanswered points. The Associated Press reported that Jaylen Brown hit consecutive three-pointers, the second at the buzzer, to put the visitors ahead 83-76. Brown ended his debut following his move from Boston with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Knicks threatened again in the fourth quarter. A Karl-Anthony Towns three-pointer cut Philadelphia's advantage to 96-95 before Joel Embiid responded from beyond the arc, helping the Sixers retain the lead. Embiid finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Philadelphia also received perimeter scoring from its reserves: Anfernee Simons made three three-pointers and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added two.

The result followed a pregame celebration in which New York received its championship rings and raised its title banner. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points but made six of his 19 field-goal attempts. Towns supplied 19 points and 12 rebounds, while New York shot 37% overall and 33.3% from three-point range, AP reported.

For James, the evening marked the competitive start of another chapter after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. Ge reported that the 41-year-old started and played 34 minutes. His first basket for Philadelphia in the regular season came late in the opening quarter, when he took a pass from Embiid and scored inside against Landry Shamet.

James had already appeared for the Sixers during the preseason, recording 10 points, four rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes against Brooklyn, according to ge. He now joins Brown and Embiid in a team seeking its first NBA championship since 1983. That title-winning side, led by Julius Erving and Moses Malone, swept the Lakers in the Finals.