One by one, the New York Knicks’ players walked towards center court at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. They each received their rings from winning the NBA title in June, the franchise’s first championship in 53 years. Walt Frazier, the point guard on the Knicks’ only other championship teams in 1970 and 1973, handed out the jewelry. Later, the players watched as a banner was raised to the rafters. And then, within minutes, the months-long celebration was over, as the Knicks officially began the 2026-27 season.
It didn’t get off to the ideal start. The Knicks lost, 106-100, to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team they swept in four games in a second round playoff series in May. Still, this is a much different 76ers’ roster and one built to win now.
During the summer, Philadelphia traded for former Boston Celtics All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James, the leader in career points and games played in league history. The additions instantly led to high expectations for the 76ers, which haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2001.
During pregame introductions, the fans loudly booed James. And when James shot free throws early second quarter, they shouted, “We don’t want you!,” a dig that once seemed unthinkable. When James was a free agent in 2010, 2014 and 2018, the Knicks would have done anything to sign him. But after the Knicks won the title four months ago, they didn’t need James, and he told ESPN that he couldn’t join the franchise.
Instead, James and the 76ers are now among the Knicks’ biggest rivals, as they showed on Tuesday night. James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The 76ers also received contributions off the bench from veteran guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons, both of whom signed with the 76ers this summer. Simons, who is in his ninth season, had 13 points on five of 10 field goals in 25 minutes after not playing in the preseason due to a hamstring injury, while Caldwell-Pope, who is in his 14th season, scored 10 points on three of eight shooting in 26 minutes.
“I could be a lot better,” James told NBC sideline reporter Zora Stephenson in an on-court interview after the game. “I’m still getting my rhythm. It’s 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. We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we have capable shooters. We know that. Good win for us to start the season.”
Meanwhile, the Knicks made only 37.2% of their shots, which would have been the fourth-worst shooting night all of last season. Jalen Brunson, the Finals MVP and second team All-NBA selection, scored a team-high 21 points, but he made just six of 19 field goals. OG Anunoby scored 10 points and went three of 12, including one of nine on 3-pointers, and Mikal Bridges had four points and missed six of eight shots.
“If we’re going to play like we did, it didn’t matter who it is,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “It’s going to be a long night for us.”
As is customary with major Knicks’ games, the crowd included several celebrities such as actors Ben Stiller and Mariska Hargitay; singers Harry Styles and Bon Jovi; and New York Yankees’ players Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice. NBA commissioner Adam Silver attended, too, as did NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who sat courtside. It was such a big night for the franchise that Brown said he received a “million” text messages before the game. He was OK with the Knicks spending celebrating the title, just a little bit longer.
“This could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Brown said. “You never know. It’s hard. It’s hard to accomplish something like this, and so you definitely want guys to embrace it and celebrate it… You don’t want to take that moment away from them, but in the same breath, we obviously have a job to do tonight.”
The Knicks didn’t accomplish what they hoped, but it is a long season. And they will be facing stiff competition in the Eastern Conference, including from the rejuvenated 76ers and their new stars who know about winning. James has four NBA titles (two with the Miami Heat and one apiece with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers), while Brown was the NBA Finals MVP two years ago when he helped the Boston Celtics win the championship.
“First of all, they’re both incredible players,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before the game. “I think that automatically gives them something for everybody to look at. But then you see both of their work ethics are A-plus.”
Nursed added: “Without them even saying anything, who they are and how they go about things automatically gives you some pop. They’re both very serious about winning, both very serious about their preparation, and they both understand the game and do use their voices and help their teammates do things out there.”
Philadelphia guard VJ Edgecombe, a 21-year-old in his second NBA season, said he has noticed a difference with James and Brown on the floor. And they’re not alone in talking, as Edgecombe noted that guard Tyrese Maxey (game-high 28 points), center Joel Embiid (13 points and 11 rebounds) and Caldwell-Pope were also communicating and motivating the team.
“To be honest, it was vocal all game,” Edgecombe said. “We played a really good team. It was an important night for them. They just made sure that we all just stayed locked in, don’t get lost in the moment.”
Tuesday was the first of four times the 76ers and Knicks will meet during the regular season. They play in Philadelphia on Oct. 30 and Feb. 11 and in New York on Feb. 27. All season, in fact, the 76ers will be in the spotlight. That’s what comes with having James on their roster. Now in his 24th season, James was simply happy the 76ers got off to a good start.
“It’s just about winning, just trying to make plays to win,” James said. “I’m very familiar with every scenario that this game has offered. I’m blessed to be able to play still at this level. I’m blessed to be able to play in this building, too. This building is so special, so it’s fun.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com