LeBron James opened his 24th NBA season at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, and he did it in a 76ers uniform. The Knicks lost 106-100 in front of 19,812. Yahoo Sports noted it was the fourth time in his 24-year career that James debuted with an entirely new team.
The Associated Press, via Sportsnet, wrote that there was "a plausible scenario" in which James would have opened the season at the Garden in a Knicks uniform. CBS Sports' Robby Kalland took the same angle. He wrote that James has teased and rejected the Knicks for years, but this summer he may be the one who feels he missed out. The feed summaries don't say why the Knicks never landed him. They also don't say whether any deal was close, so we can't say either.
James played 34 minutes and shot 5-of-13, including 0-of-3 from three. He added 4-of-6 at the line, 14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and a block. It was a facilitator's line more than a scoring night. His 2026 season averages with the team were 7.9 made field goals on 15.3 attempts and 33.2 minutes, so he took fewer shots than usual.
Philadelphia shot only 42% and made 11 of 40 threes. It won by getting to the line, where it went 21-of-27, and by taking care of the ball. The 76ers had 28 assists to the Knicks' 21 and committed 10 turnovers to New York's 14. The Knicks shot 37% and had 14 offensive rebounds, but that wasn't enough. The 76ers also scored 24 fast-break points to 16.
The win gives Philadelphia a 1-0 record and first place in the Atlantic. That follows preseason-style results in which the 76ers lost 144-106 at Boston on Oct. 10 and 125-120 to the Celtics on Oct. 16. New York is 0-1 and third in the division. Before the loss it had beaten Toronto 122-120 on Oct. 15 and lost 148-98 at Toronto on Oct. 13.
James and the 76ers are next at home against Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 22, and then host Milwaukee on Oct. 24. The Knicks go to Boston on Friday, Oct. 23.
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