Jaylen Brown sends message to rest of NBA after beating Knicks: 'Not even at the tip of the iceberg' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA season is long. Many things change from October to April, when the playoffs begin. But even without overreacting to Game No. 1 from the new-look 76ers, there's reason to believe Philadelphia could have a real contender on its hands.
The Sixers, in their first game with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, took down the defending champion Knicks on the road on their banner night, using 28 points from Tyrese Maxey and 25 points off turnovers to start the season 1-0.
Considering James, Brown and a collection of other newcomers have only had weeks to mesh in Philadelphia, there were a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the win. Brown wasn't shy about taking that stance postgame.
Here's how Brown put the rest of the NBA on notice after the 76ers' first win of the season.
MORE:5 things we learned about the new-look 76ers in win over Knicks
Jaylen Brown sends message to rest of NBA after 76ers beat Knicks
In his 76ers debut, Brown totaled 19 points, second to Maxey's 28, while adding eight rebounds and six assists. His scoring talents looked like a natural fit in a fast-paced system alongside James' vision and the defensive attention Maxey and Joel Embiid already draw.
Jaylen Brown made an immediate impact in his 76ers debut on banner night at MSG. 19 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 7/14 FG vs Knicks Brown helped Philly spoil New York’s championship celebration and open the new look Sixers era with a win. https://t.co/Br0c1mlNUg
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 21, 2026
Considering the 76ers beat the Knicks while shooting 11-for-40 from 3-point range, with Embiid also struggling at times, there's plenty reason to think Philadelphia will only get better.
Brown agreed with that sentiment postgame.
"I think it was just OK. We got a lot of room for growth, room for improvement," Brown said, per Kris Rhim. "We're not even at the tip of the iceberg in terms of hitting chemistry ... So it's a good sign that we can win while still being at that early stage."
Embiid also said that "tonight felt a little different than the past," adding that he believes he can reach an elite defensive level again after shedding some weight in the offseason.
"I think just we have the talent," Embiid said, per Rhim. "I think a lot of it falls on me. I put it on me. If I want to be All-Defense like I used to be, that changes everything for our team. So if I can play that way every single night, which I will, changes everything."
In the moments after the win, James acknowledged that he's still getting in "rhythm," but he liked what he saw defensively from his new team.
"Obviously, just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad," James said. "But yeah, I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well, especially defensively.”
LeBron James on his debut with the 76ers: “Still getting my rhythm. Obviously, just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad. But yeah, I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well, especially defensively.” 🤝 https://t.co/GzSpBfyAY2
— 76ersMuse (@76ersMuse) October 21, 2026
Both Brown and James also said they were impressed with Maxey's speed in their first game as teammates.
“It doesn’t seem like he gets tired," James said. "He’s one of the fastest guys in the league, maybe the fastest with the ball."
“His stamina. It doesn’t seem like he gets tired. He’s one of the fastest guys in the league, maybe the fastest with the ball “ I asked LeBron James what impressed him the most after playing in a game with Tyrese Maxey for the first time. I asked Jaylen Brown as well and Brown said it’s Tyrese‘s speed.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 21, 2026
Vibes appear high for the new-look 76ers, who will host James' former Cavaliers team on Thursday night.
MORE 76ERS: